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THE RESCUE 


Page 5 




THE 


TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


BY 

MARY DWINELL CHELLIS, 

\ * 

AUTHOR OF “DEACON SIM’S PRAYERS,” “OLD SUNAPEE,” ETC. 






NEW YORK: 

National Temperance Society and Publication House , 
172 William Street. 


1868 . 


,C^ e ' ' 


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by 
J. N. STEARNS, 

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the Eastern District 

of New York. 


Rockwell & Rollins, Stereotypers and Printers, 
122 Washington Street, Boston. 


The Temperance Doctor. 



Liberty and moderation ; 

Watchwords of the olden time, 
When the bards of every nation 
Sang the praise of sparkling wine ; 
Liberty, the mocking cry. 

Liberty to drink and die. 


The usual group of idlers were lounging 
in the bar-room of the Eagle House, smok- 
ing cigars of the best brand to be found in 
the village. This occupation was varied by 
sipping iced-water, while an occasional new- 
comer indulged in a less cooling draught. 

A sultry summer afternoon. The tiniest 
leaf motionless in the unclouded sunlight, 
and Nature’s voices hushed, save the lazy 
droning of myriads of insects. Even the 

3 


4 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


landlord of this flourishing hotel tipped back 
in his chair, and contented himself with an 
ocasional remark to his guests, rather than 
the accustomed flow of wit and anecdote. 

But suddenly there was heard a murmur 
in the distance ; then loud cries, as if for 
help, and every one sprang to his feet. 
"From the river,” says one; "somebody is 
drowning ! ” and again came the cry, loud- 
er than before. 

One horse stood saddled under the shed. 
It had been ridden there by Fred Randolph, 
and it was but the work of a moment to loose 
and mount him. Down the street, towards 
the river, dashed the horseman, followed by 
almost the entire village. A quarter of a 
mile was soom passed over, and, from the 
crowd of half-distracted boys, he learned that 
little Carl Gore had been drawn into the 
whirlpool, and Clarence Yane had already 
"been down three times to bring him up.” 

"Where is he now?” asked the young 
man, at the same time divesting himself of 
hat, coat, and boots. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


5 


"Down there,” said one. "He’s coming 
up,” said another, as midway of the stream 
the boy appeared holding the body of little 
Carl Gore. 

Two or three powerful strokes, and Fred 
Randolph took the burden, and turned to- 
wards the shore. Clarence Vane made a 
feeble effort to follow, but the undercurrent 
seemed too strong for him, and from those 
who watched, came the cry, "He’s going 
down himself.” 

"Swim, swim for your life!” shouted a 
man who had just driven up, and, roused by 
the command, he, with desperate energy, 
placed himself beyond the reach of the treach- 
erous eddy. This exhausted his remaining 
strength, and he was beginning to sink, when 
a strong arm was placed under him and he was 
borne to life and safety. 

By this time the crowd of villagers had 
reached the scene of disaster. There was a 
confused questioning as to how it had all hap- 
pened. But, amid the Babel of tongues, it 
was only understood that Carl, who was per- 


6 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


fectly at home in the water, had ventured too 
near the eddy, and been drawn down. 

" I told him better,” said an older brother, 
anxious, even then, to exonerate himself from 
all blame in the matter. 

But the father heard nothing, saw nothing, 
save the lifeless body of his child, which he 
clasped in his arms, and would thus have 
rushed home, had he not been prevented by 
those around him. 

" Put them both in this wagon, and let me 
act as driver,” said Dr. Hall. 

" Clarence, too ! Clarence dead, too ! ” 
said Mr. Gore, wringing his hands in impo- 
tent grief. 

The orders were obeyed, and before the 
news had reached the Eagle House, the 
wagon, with its precious freight, was driven 
to the door, followed by half a dozen men, 
whose horses had been able to keep pace with 
the doctor’s hot haste. 

Clarence had revived somewhat during the 
ride, and, although perfectly helpless, was 
able to inquire for Carl. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


7 


"Did I save him?” he asked, too much 
confused to remember. 

A single word in the affirmative satisfied 
him, and he relapsed into a half-unconscious 
state. He was placed in bed, enveloped in 
hot blankets, and then the whole attention 
was directed to the child who had given no 
signs of life. 

The crowd came rushing back from the 
river; others, living a little outside the vil- 
lage, had heard the news and joined the 
excited throng. Only by the most impera- 
tive commands could they be prevented from 
forcing themselves up the stairs. 

"See that not another person comes up 
those stairs,” said Dr. Hall to a man standing 
beside him. " We must not be interrupted.” 
But at that moment the crowd gave way, 
and up the stairs, almost at a bound, sprang 
a young girl with pale face, and long black 
hair floating over neck and shoulders. 

"Where is Clarence?” she asked in a 
hoarse whisper. 

" This way,” was the reply, and through 


8 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


the open door she caught sight of him, and, 
for the moment, thought him dead. Trem- 
bling, she reached out her hands instinctively 
for support. 

" Don’t be frightened, Genie. He’s only 
tired. He’ll be all right in an hour,” said an 
elderly man, turning from the bed and going 
towards her. At this assurance, with what 
seemed strange inconsistency, she began to 
weep, and was led sobbing to her brother. 

Just then a man entered the room, bearing 
a glass of dark liquid . " Here is something 

that will put you on your feet again,” he said, 
as he raised the boy’s head from the pillow. 

" What is it? ” asked Eugenia Vane. 

" Brandy and water,” was the reply. 

" Then he must not drink it,” she said in 
an excited tone. 

"Why not?” was asked. 

" Because he must not,” she repeated still 
more emphatically. 

" To be sure Clarence will drink it,” said 
the gentleman who had met the sister at the 
door. "Dr. Walton has ordered it.” Tak- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


9 


ing the glass in his own hands, he held it to 
the lips of Clarence Vane. 

An instant more, and the glass was dashed 
to the floor. "He shall not drink it. He 
had better die,” said the girl, turning her 
large black eyes full upon the face of him 
who had held the glass to her brother’s lips. 

"Hush, Genie!” said he, sternly. "You 
are too much excited to know what you are 
saying. Clarence needs a stimulant, and 
brandy is the best thing in the world for 
him.” 

" It is the worst thing in the world for him, 
Uncle Randolph. Mother wouldn’t let him 
drink it.” 

"Mother,” said the boy. 

Mrs. Vane was there to speak for herself. 

"Drinking brandy, . Clarence ! ” she ex- 
claimed, the blood rushing to her face and 
her whole manner revealing her horror of 
such an act. 

"Not a drop,” said Eugenia, without wait- 
ing for her brother to reply. " I broke the 
glass, and he didn’t taste it.” 


10 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" Thank God ! ” exclaimed the mother fer- 
vently, while the bystanders looked the as- 
tonishment they did not presume to speak. 

In the adjoining room, physicians and 
parents made trial of every means that skill 
or affection could suggest to recall the spirit 
of little Carl Gore to its earthly tenement. 
Noiselessly and hurriedly passed the attend- 
ants from kitchen to chamber, giving to all 
inquiries the same reply, until hope died out 
in the hearts of the most sanguine. Even 
the parents felt that further efforts were use- 
less, and this conviction was strengthened by 
Dr. Walton’s assurance that "nothing but the 
last trump would arouse him,” 

But Dr. Walton was an old man, and his 
head not quite so clear as it might have been 
had his potations of brandy and water been 
less frequent. Dr. Hall was not so sure, 
and, asking the assistance of two upon whose 
promptness and perseverance he could rely, 
he was left with them to continue his exer- 
tions. 

Not in vain. At length the child breathed ; 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


11 


his eyes slowly opened, then closed wearily ; 
but life was there. He was saved, and no 
one dreamed it would have been better for 
him and for the world had Dr. Walton’s 
prophecy proved true. 

The overjoyed parents were ready to fall 
upon their knees in acknowledgment of the 
young doctor’s skill. They thanked him 
again and again ; thanked their neighbors and 
friends, then went to Clarence Yane, and 
thanked him for rescuing their darling from 
a watery grave ; but in all this, there was no 
thought or word of thankfulness to Him who 
holds the lives of all in his hands. Mr. 
Gore said, to be sure, that he never before 
had such cause for thankfulness, and pro- 
posed, as a proper expression of his grat- 
itude, to keep a free bar for the evening. 

He was about to make the annduncement, 
when Dr. Hall asked, as a personal favor, 
that it might not be done. 

"Anything to oblige you, doctor,” was the 
reply ; " but I really feel as though I ought 


12 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


to make some return to all these people for 
their kindness.” 

"Then do it by closing your bar for the 
evening. That would indeed be a blessing.” 

" I shan’t quarrel with you to-night, doctor. 
I am under too great obligations to you ; and 
I’ll even close my bar to please you. I know 
you are one of the new-fashioned temperance 
men; but Dr. Walton, the ’squire, and my- 
self belong to the old party who believe in 
liberty and moderation.” 

"I understand that,” said the young doc- 
tor, " and some time I shall be glad to hear 
the reasons for your faith, and give you mine 
in return.” 

Feeling himself now at liberty to leave 
Carl, he looked in upon Clarence, whom he 
found anxious to go home. " I will take you 
in my buggy,” said Dr. Hall, "and I can en- 
gage that a conveyance shall be provided for 
the ladies.” 

Eugenia was about to protest against any 
provision being made for her, when she re- 
membered that she had neither hat nor shawl, 


/ 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


13 


and that the fastenings of her hair were strown 
somewhere between her home and the hotel. 

At this moment came in Esquire Kandolph, 
who considered Eugenia and Clarence Vane 
as his especial charge, they having been his 
wards for ten years, and he gladly relieved 
Dr. Hall of all care on their account. 

Meanwhile, the notice, "Bar closed for the 
evening,” appeared in a conspicuous position, 
and it was soon understood that it was in com- 
pliance with a request made by the young doc- 
tor. There was no lack of comments upon 
so strange a proceeding. Some rejoiced 
openly that this was not to be made the occa- 
sion of drunken revelry ; some had " nothing 
to say against the young man ; ” he was smart, 
of course ; that had been proved ; but " he’d 
better attend to his own business.” A few 
gave utterance to their dissatisfaction in terms 
more expressive than refined, and declared 
their determination to employ the old doctor 
as long as he had "one foot out of the 
grave.” 

Thus the crowd lost their treat ; but a few, 


14 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


whom Mr. Gore considered his especial 
friends, were quietly invited to the family sit- 
ting-room, to test the quality of his choicest 
liquors. Among those were Esquire Kandolph 
and ^on, with Dr. Walton. 

Direct from this room went the two first- 
named gentlemen to attend Mrs. Vane and 
her children. As Clarence appeared, lean- 
ing upon the arm of his sister, a hearty cheer 
from the bystanders testified their apprecia- 
tion of his heroism. 

" Like his father, always ready to risk him- 
self for others. God keep him from all evil, 
and shield him from all harm ! ” said an old 
man, earnestly. 

Everybody rejoiced in the rescue of Carl 
Gore, but there was little said of him. Clar- 
ence Vane was the hero of the hour. His 
fine personal appearance, his advanced schol- 
arship, and his bravery, all were discussed. 
But there were ominous shakings of the head, 
remarks made in an under tone, and half-fin- 
ished sentences, that revealed either fears or 
suspicions. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


15 


Dr. Hall stopped to hear none of these re- 
marks, but hastened home, where the events 
of the afternoon were repeated to his wife. 
He had been settled in this village a little 
more than two years, and during the time 
had encountered much opposition, from the 
fact that he was, as Mr. Gore had said, "a 
new-fashioned temperance man,” 

Previous to this, Dr. Walton had been the 
only physician in town for forty years, and 
had never made himself obnoxious by set- 
ting up for a reformer. On the contrary, 
he clung to old habits and old opinions, and 
was popular among a majority of the people. 
But a few ventured to express the opinion 
that stimulants held too prominent a place in 
his practice, and queried if his patients ever 
so far recovered their health as not to require 
an occasional "glass of bitters. ” 

This was not strange when the doctor 
thought it impossible to go through the busi- 
ness of a single day without a supply of 
brandy. Ever since he was a young man, 
he had been troubled with a " difficulty in the 


16 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


stomach,” that made the use of this stimulant 
indispensable. He always quoted himself as 
an example of the moderate and beneficial 
use of the good things of life, and would hold 
a tiny wineglass between his thumb and fin- 
ger, saying, "This is my measure, which I 
never exceed.” 

One might have supposed, judging by the 
outer development, that an increased capacity 
would have required a corresponding increase 
of quantity, yet he gravely assured his friends 
that such was not £he case. 

But wineglass or goblet, there was no de- 
nying the fact that the old doctor was not 
always in a condition to prescibe for his pa- 
tients. Even his best friends were forced to 
acknowledge this, and were willing that a 
younger practitioner should settle among 
them. 

Dr. Hall had come there a stranger, and, 
with the assurance of one who had no doubt 
of success, purchased a house and a few 
acres of land. He repaired the house, put 


TIIE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


17 


the grounds in somewhat better condition, 
and then brought a bride to his home. 

Mrs. Vane and her daughter were among 
the first who called to bid her welcome, and 
a close intimacy sprung up between the la- 
dies. The young wife looked upon Mrs. 
Vane almost as a mother, while Eugenia was 
loved as a sister. They had required no 
professional services from the doctor, but he 
made frequent calls upon the family, and en- 
joyed their entire confidence. He knew 
much of their past history, and sympathized 
with the mother in her anxiety for her son. 

There were two parties in town ; one 
clinging to the old doctor, despite his grow- 
ing incompetency, while the other strongly 
supported his rival, claiming that he was 
consistent both in principle and practice. His 
business was not extensive, but this did not 
seem to trouble him. He never rode through 
the village at breakneck speed, to stop in 
some out-of-the-way place, and administer 
to imaginary patients. The time not neces- 
2 


18 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


sarily devoted to his profession was spent in 
cultivating his land. 

"He’ll get a living,” said the villagers. 
" If he can’t do one thing, he will another ; ” 
and he really seemed in a fair way to make a 
model farmer. 

"Let him farm. He is more fit for that 
than anything else,” said Mr. Gore, who 
had a natural antipathy to quassia and cold 
water. 

Yet his house would have been one of 
mourning, but for this same Dr. Hall, and he 
was forced by the circumstance to acknowl- 
edge his skill. He was too grateful to cal- 
culate the probable effect of the increased 
popularity of the young doctor, who was 
everywhere, and under all circumstances, an 
uncompromising temperance man. Had it 
been in his power, he would have closed 
every rum-shop in the land, and so blinded was 
he by prejudice, that it seemed to him no more 
respectable to sell liquors at the bar of the 
Eagle House, than in Dan Messer’s groggery. 
Such was the man at whose request the bar 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


19 


of the Eagle House, was, that evening, 
closed. 

The crowd dispersed after a time, carrying 
to their homes tidings of all that had occurred, 
and speculating in regard to what would 
come of it. Dr. Walton was the last to 
leave, and it was observed that he walked 
very carefully. 

"Now let us go over to Mrs. Vane’s,” said 
the young doctor’s wife, when she thought 
her husband sufficiently recovered from his 
fatigue. "I am sure they will be glad to see 
us, and I am anxious in regard to Clar- 
ence.” 

"Yes, Annie, we’ll go; but you must ex- 
pect to meet the ’squire in *all his dignity. 
He evidently considered me as interfering 
with his business when I proposed to take 
Clarence home. You know he never smiles 
upon me, and I am inclined to think him 
jealous of our influence over Genie.” 

A merry laugh was the reply to these re- 
marks. Annie Hall appreciated her hus- 
band, and understood the reasons why he was 


20 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


not a favorite with the ’squire. For the same 
reasons she would have come under the ban 
of his displeasure, as she was, of the two, 
the more zealous advocate of teetotalism. 
But there was something in the winning 
sweetness of her face, and the easy grace of 
her manners, that disarmed prejudice, and 
made even the ’squire and Mr. Gore treat 
her with a deference they were far from man- 
ifesting to her husband. 

The doctor was not disappointed in his ex- 
pectation of meeting Esquire Randolph, and 
an amused smile flitted across his face as he 
noted the cool reception given him by the 
gentleman. 

Clarence was resting on a couch in an ad- 
joining room, and the doctor’s wife, with 
whom he was a great favorite, was soon 
seated beside him. 

"So you have made yourself famous,” she 
said lightly. " I hope I am not too late to 
congratulate you.” 

" I don’t care for being famous,” replied 
the boy, " but I am glad I saved Carl. They 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


21 


would have let him die, though, after all, if 
it hadn’t been for the doctor. I’m glad for 
him. They’ll all like him now. Please ask 
him to come here. I have something to tell 
him,” he added, after a short pause, in 
which he seemed to be thinking ear- 
nestly. 

"Playing invalid, Clarence? I must see 
to this,” said the doctor, cheerfully. " Let 
me count your pulse. Not very bad. We 
shall have you as well as ever to-mor- 
row.” 

" I didn’t drink the brandy. He told me 
I must,” said the boy, in a low tone, point- 
ing to the room in which his guardian was 
seated. " Genie spilled it ; but I didn’t 
mean to drink it, any way.” 

Dr. Hall did not utter the same ejacula- 
tion of thankfulness that had testified to the 
mother’s joy in hearing this ; but a closer 
clasp of the hand that rested in his, and 
words of earnest approval, told how great a 
value he attached to this abstinence. 

"You must never drink it, never,” he 


22 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


added, placing a strong emphasis upon the 
repeated word. 

Mrs. Hall left the room as this was said, 
leaving her husband and his young friend at 
liberty to continue their conversation. But 
they were soon interrupted by the entrance 
of Fred Randolph, who came to inquire for 
Clarence, and the doctor was preparing to 
take his leave, when a man came riding up, 
to say that Tim Allen, who lived in a remote 
part of the town, was "crazy as a loon. He 
thinks he’s covered with snakes and all man- 
ner of critters.” 

"What kind of a man is he?” asked the 
doctor, not doubting that he was suffering 
from an attack of delirium tremens. 

"You temperance folks would call him a 
drunkard. Dan Messer says he’s a jolly fel- 
low. You see,” continued the man, "he’s one 
of Dan’s best customers. Used to go to the 
Eagle House till he began to look seedy ; then 
Gore turned him off. That’s the way he does, 
and folks call him a respectable man. I don’t 
know much about it, but it seems to me Dan 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


23 


is just as good as Gore. Any way, their 
business is the same.” 

These remarks were made near the door, 
and sufficiently loud to be heard by all in 
the house. The speaker had evidently been 
meditating during his lonely ride, and im- 
proved the first opportunity to relieve himself 
of his burden of thought. 

The doctor turned back for his wife, and, 
when they reached the gate, they found the 
messenger still waiting. "They’ve always 
had the old doctor down to Allen’s ; but the 
women folks thought they’d send for you this 
time. One of the neighbors was in, and told 
what you did this afternoon, and they agree 
with you, too, about the drinking. Fact is, 
I guess most of the women are on your side, 
there.” 

How long the man would have continued 
to talk, had any one listened, is quite un- 
certain, but he was forced to silence by the 
want of an audience. 

It required but a few minutes for the doc- 
tor to make preparations for his ride, and, 


24 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


giving his wife a parting kiss, he started off. 
Passing the man who had summoned him, he 
received renewed directions as to the short- 
est road to Tim Allen’s house. 

It was at the foot of a long hill, a little off 
the main road, and so hidden by trees, 
that the doctor would never have thought of 
stopping there, had not his attention been 
arrested by the frightful screams that rang 
out upon the night air. Reining in his horse, 
he listened for a moment, peering through 
the darkness to discover the gateway. 

There was such an accumulation of brush 
and old lumber that it was impossible to tell 
where this was intended to be, and he was 
about getting out of his buggy, to continue 
the search on foot, when a man appeared, 
carrying a lantern. 

"This way, doctor,” he said, raising the 
lantern above his head, that he might be sure 
whom he was addressing. " But perhaps 
you’d better wait a minute, and I’ll lead your 
horse. Allen don’t keep things very much 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


25 


slicked up. My Betsey says he puts out the 
signs of his trade.” 

" What is his trade ? ” 

" He’s a blacksmith ; but that isn’t what I 
mean. He drinks rum pretty much all the 
time, and Betsey calls such a lot of rubbish 
the drunkard’s sign.” 

The speaker seemed in no haste as he held 
the horse by the bridle and moved slowly 
towards the house. He had seen too many 
of " Tim Allen’s tantrums ” to consider them 
of much importance. But a woman’s voice 
shouting, "Robert, Robert, come here this 
minute,” caused him to quicken his steps, 
and, placing the lantern upon an old block, 
he said, "There’s the tie-post. Betsey’s call- 
ing, and I must go.” 

The doctor followed directly, and, upon 
opening the door, it was apparent that Robert 
had not been called too soon. The suffering 
man in a paroxysm of rage freed himself 
from the grasp of the neighbor who was with 
him, and hurled a chair at the head of his 
wife. She was able to avoid the full force 


26 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


of the blow, but the chair grazed her temple, 
inflicting a wound from which the blood 
flowed freely. 

" Better give him some gin and have done 
with it,” said John Wilson. " That’ll settle 
him. It’s what the old doctor always gives 
in such cases.” 

" Gin ! gin ! ” shouted Tim Allen. " That’s 
the stuff. Give me some gin ! ” 

"Not a drop,” said Dr. Hall, as he stepped 
to the bed. "You’ve had too much of that 
already.” 

"Betsey ” gave a decided nod of approval, 
as this was said. " I told you so, Mrs. Allen. 
That’s the kind of doctor for me.” She 
couldn’t forbear saying this, even while she 
sponged the blood from the face of the drunk- 
ard’s wife. 

Tim Allen declined taking the medicine 
prepared for him, but the peremptory com- 
mand to "swallow it instantly,” left him no 
alternative. "Now lie down and be quiet,” 
said the doctor in the same stern tone, en- 
forcing the command by corresponding ac- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


27 


tion. Then he sat down by the bed, looking 
steadily into the eyes of his patient. 

There were some incoherent murmurs, an 
occasional groan, and a movement of the 
hands as if warding off attack ; but gradu- 
ally these ceased, and the doctor gave his 
attention to Mrs. Allen. 

"Now you had better lie down,” he said, 
when her wound was properly dressed. "You 
certainly need rest.” 

The worn and haggard looks of the poor 
woman were proof of this, and after some 
hesitation she went upstairs, Betsey promising 
to call her, if' it was necessary. 

By this time, Tim Allen, recovering a little 
from the doctor’s influence, was again in a 
state of excitement, and it required the united 
efforts of the three men to keep him on the 
bed. Another portion of medicine, and the 
magnetic gaze of the dark hazel eyes quieted 
him, just as a loud "halloo” was heard out- 
side. 

"Smith’s back,” said John Wilson. "I’ll 
go out now, doctor, and put up your horse, 


28 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


if I can be spared. Guess they’ll want you 
to stay all night.” 

"We can do without you,” was the reply, 
and the man went out. 

"He won’t get that gin,” said Betsey. 

"Where is it?” asked her husband. 

" Down the sink-spout. I knew Wilson’d 
be after it ; but if he wets his lips it’ll be at 
the pump, unless I’ve lost my faculty for 
hunting, and I believe I can smell liquor as 
far as anybody.” 

" Guess you can, Betsey,” replied her hus- 
band, and he ought to have known. 

The doctor was an interested listener to 
this short conversation, and when Wilson 
came into the room half an hour later, he 
was pretty sure his lips had been wetted in 
nothing stronger than water. 

Smith didn’t come in ; but he heard how 
matters stood, and went whistling home, 
wondering if it was best to "cut square oft',” 
and give up his morning dram. Doctor 
Walton had ordered it some months before, 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


29 


for a derangement of the stomach, and he had 
seemed to need it ever since. 

John Wilson was very uneasy after he 
returned from the barn, and finally, after a 
good deal of " hitching about,” and some pre- 
liminary remarks, he asked if he could not 
go home as well as not. 

"Perhaps so,” replied the doctor. "I 
don’t think we shall have any more trouble 
here to night.” : * 

" You’d better stay,” said Betsey. " There’s 
no telling what may happen. Somebody 
may come for the doctor, and Robert and I 
don’t want to be left here alone.” 

This decided the matter, and although he 
was " dreadful dry,” he gave up all idea of 
going. 

" Mrs. Halsey, it is unnecessary for you to 
sit up any longer,” said Dr. Hall, when his 
patient appeared to be sleeping quietly. 
" You had better lie down with Mrs. Allen.” 

Giving a look around to make sure that 
all things were in order, the woman went 
upstairs, and reported "all quiet H>elow.” 


30 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Mrs. Allen had not slept. The heavy heart- 
pain would have prevented this, even without 
the pain of her wound, which seemed to in- 
crease. 

There was something inspiriting in the very 
presence of Mrs. Halsey. Her cheerful 
words gave her neighbor hope for the future, 
and the application of cold water to her head 
relieved the pain. Sleep came at last ; and 
when she awoke, the sunlight was streaming 
into the low room, and she was alone. Not 
recalling the incidents of the night, she raised 
her head from the pillow, but it fell back 
heavily. 

Then all was remembered, — the frenzy of 
her husband, the blow she had received, and 
the visit of the doctor. She listened a mo- 
ment, and was sure she could hear the quick 
footsteps of her friend, and from other sounds, 
she judged that breakfast was being pre- 
pared. Just as she was making an effort to 
rise, the door was softly opened, and Betsey 
Halsey looked in upon her. 

"Lie right down again, Mrs. Allen,” she 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


31 


said. "There’s no manner of need of your 
getting up. I’ve got breakfast most ready 
for the doctor, and I’ll bring you a good cup 
of tea. Tim’s all right, this morning,” she 
added. "Pretty well sobered, and I guess 
it will do him good.” 

"But I must get up, Mrs. Halsey. I wish 
to see Dr. Hall before he goes ; and you have 
work enough at home without doing mine.” 

"I’m in no hurry to go home. Eobert 
went more than two hours ago, and the girls 
can do what is necessary with his help.” 

After talking some time longer, Mrs. Hal- 
sey went down. John Wilson had left ; so 
there were only the doctor and Tim Allen 
below. The latter had been awake for a 
long time, and a more thoroughly mortified 
man it would be difficulty to find. He, with 
others of like habit, had a great dislike for 
Dr. Hall, and his indignation at finding him 
at his bedside was unbounded. 

This was apparent, but, nothing troubled, 
the doctor addressed him pleasantly, asking 
how he found himself. 


32 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Ail angry reply sprang to his lips, but it 
was unspoken. 

"It is time for you to get up now, take a 
cold bath, and get ready for breakfast.” 

Some objections were made to this, but ^ 
they were overruled. "I came here at some- 
body’s request, and you are not quite through 
with my treatment,” continued the doctor. 
"I suppose you know you are liable to be 
arrested for an assault upon your wife. You j 
are almost a murderer.” 

This last remark settled the question, and 
the bathing was a thorough one. After this 
a dose, not of bitters , but the very quintes- 
sence of bitterness was administered, and swal- 
lowed without even a wry face. 

" Now there is time for a good talk before 
breakfast,” said Dr. Hall. "Mr. Allen, do 
you know the cause of your last night’s at- ! 
tack?” 

" I suppose I do,” was the reply. 

" And do you think it pays ? ” 

There was no answer. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


33 


"Would it have paid if you had killed your 
wife ? ” 

A shudder passed over the drunkard’s 
frame. " Where is she ? ” he asked in a husky 
voice. 

" You haven’t answered my question yet,” 
said the doctor, coolly, and he repeated it. 

" Oh, no,” groaned the man in reply. 

" Where are your children ? ” 

"I don’t know.” 

" Why are they not at home ? ” 

" They went away,” said the father. 

"Drive your children from home, and then 
kill your wife ! You must have a fancy for 
living alone.” 

The man fairly writhed in agony, while 
great drops of perspiration stood on his fore- 
head. But desperate diseases require desper- 
ate remedies, and our young doctor was not 
one to shrink from their application. 

" How many attacks have you had like the 
one of last night?” 

"I can’t tell.” 

" And I suppose you can’t tell how many 

3 


34 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


more you expect to have. Well, we won’t 
say any more about that, now. I have a 
writing here that I wish you to sign. Then, 

I believe my duty as a physician in your case 
will be fully discharged.” 

"Where is Mary? ’’asked Mr. Allen, un- 
able longer to restrain his anxiety in regard 
to his wife. 

" When we get through with this business 
we can talk about her; but, at present, this 
writing must be attended to. Shall I read 
it?” 

"Yes, read it,” was the reply. 

"Now, will you sign it?” asked the doc- j 
tor, after reading as strong a temperance 
pledge as it was possible for him to write. 

"I can’t,” said the man. 

"What ! Not write ! I am astonished.” 

"I can write well enough; but I don’t 
want to sign that paper. It’s signing away 
my liberty. The ’squire says nobody has a 
right to ask a man to sign such a paper.” 

" But I have asked you, and you had better 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


35 


do it. Great liberty, isn’t it, to make a 
beast and murderer of yourself ?” 

" If I could only see Mary,” groaned the 
half-distracted husband. 

" I guess she’s in no particular hurry to see 
you. At any rate, I shouldn’t be if I was in 
her place.” 

Taking advantage of the impression pro- 
duced by this last remark, the doctor insisted 
that the pledge should be signed ; and, with 
a trembling hand, Tim Allen affixed to it his 
signature. 

No more reproaches. These were ex- 
changed for words of encouragement and 
earnest counsel. 

Mrs. Halsey heard enough of the conver- 
sation to understand what was going on, and 
went upstairs to her friend. "I guess you’ll 
hear some good news if you can come down,” 
; she said ; " and breakfast is all ready.” 

Mrs. Allen was met kindly by the doctor, 
who gave her the pledge signed by her hus- 
band. Holding it in her hand, she went into 


36 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


the room where he was, and closed the door 
behind her. 

Breakfast waited for nearly half an hour, 
when Mr. Allen and his wife appeared and 
seated themselves at the table. The doctor 
and Mrs. Halsey ate heartily, but their com- 
panions seemed to have little appetite for the 
nicely prepared food before them. 

Directly after breakfast, Dr. Hall went to 
the barn for his horse. Mr. Allen followed 
him, and, taking out his pocket-book, asked 
what was to pay. 

"You didn’t send for me,” said the doctor. 

"I didn’t send for any one,” was the reply. • 

"And if you had, it would have been for 
Dr. Walton.” 

" I suppose I should ; but I’m glad you 
came, and I’m ready to pay your bill, what- 
ever it is.” 

This matter was satisfactorily arranged, 
and, with a cheerful " good-morning ” to "the 
women-folks,” the doctor started for home. 
About a mile from the house he encountered 
Bill Smith, who, being in a talkative mood, 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


37 


gave quite a history of the people with 
whom he had passed the night. 

"There’s Robert Halsey got a good farm 
and forehanded, but he came as near going 
over the bay as he could and miss it.” 

"How so?” asked the listener. 

"Why, you see, after Gore came here, the 
smartest men in town used to drop in to his 
bar-room to hear the news, read the papers, 
and get something to drink. When Halsey 
went to the village, he used to go in, and 
after a while got to be one of Gore’s best 
customers. His form would have gone to 
rack and ruin if it hadn’t been for his wife. 
But she’s smart, and she kept things up, in 
the house and out of doors. One night, 
about three years ago, he got so drunk he fell 
off his horse, and Tim Allen and I helped him 
home. Betsey was up, and she told us to 
lay him down on the back-room floor. We 
did as she said, and what happened after that 
I never knew ; but Robert Halsey haint 
drinked a drop of liquor since. 

For the benefit of my readers, I will de- 


38 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


scribe the scene which followed. After her 

frl 

neighbors had left, Betsey Halsey stood look- 
ing at her husband, with an expression of in- 
tense disgust upon her face. For nearly five 
years matters had been growing worse, dur- 
ing which time she had worked early and 
late, to make amends for her husband’s want 
of thrift. 

" I’m not one of the crying kind,” she had 
once said to Mrs. Allen, "and as for getting 
down on my knees to a drunkard and beg- 
ging him to stop drinking, I’ll not do it. I 
can’t degrade myself in that way.” 

She neither scolded nor wept. She was a 
good, true wife, loving the man to whom she 
had been married, but despising a drunkard. 
Their children were getting old enough to 
understand the character of their father ; but 
hers was a well regulated household, despite 
opposing influences, and the farm was well 
managed. 

One thing was certain. Not a drop of 
liquor could remain on the premises. If 
Betsey Halsey suspected its presence she made 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


39 


vigorous search until it was discovered. Not 
a hiding-place in barn, house, or cellar, es- 
caped her, so that her husband was obliged 
to do his drinking away from home. He 
was not in the habit of getting drunk, but 
the night in question he was entirely uncon- 
scious. 

" Something must be done,” thought Bet- 
sey, and she went to the old well and drew 
three pails of water. These she placed be- 
side her husband, and then looked from the 
door to be sure that no one was within hear- 
ing. 

Coming back, she took up a pail and dashed 
its contents full in the face of the prostrate 
man. This roused him somewhat. He mut- 
tered, sputtered, and finally sunk down 
again. The second douche produced more 
effect. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and 
looked around him. The shock of the third 
and last " brought him to his senses,” and he 
sprang to his feet, shaking himself like a 
huge water dog. 

"Bill Smith and Tim Allen brought you 


40 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


home,” said the wife, in reply to some angry 
ejaculations. "You were dead drunk, and, 
Robert Halsey, I can’t put up with this any 
longer. I believe you are pretty well sobered 
now and you know I have done my best to keep 
the farm and house as it should be. I have 
worked hard ; but I shan’t do it for a drunk- 
ard, another day. Good-night.” 

This speech made by some women would 
have amounted to very little, but the man 
who heard it knew that his wife was not in 
the habit of talking for effect. It was equiv- 
alent to saying that she should leave him to 
his fate, unless he reformed. He had the 
night to consider upon it, and when morning 
came, his decision was made. 

It was late when his wife made her appear- 
ance. 

"Well, Robert, how is it?” she asked. 

"I have done with drink forever, Betsey.” 

God be praised ! ” she exclaimed. " Then 
I have not worked in vain.” And from that 
time not a drop of intoxicating liquor had 
passed the lips of Robert Halsey. 


n. 


Once the demon enters, 
Stands within the door; 
Peace, and hope, and gladness 
Dwell there nevermore. 


Thirty-five years previous to the events 
recorded in my first chapter, Weston Ran- 
dolph had come to this village, and estab- 
lished himself as a lawyer. 

The first year his business was only suffi- 
cient to meet his expenses. Everything 
moved slowly. There was no strongty con- 
tested " will case,” in which, by one masterly 
plea he could rise to distinction ; no doubtful 
titles to be established, and, indeed, little 
opportunity for sharp practice. 

But he was shrewd, calculating, affable in 
his manners, and soon became a favorite with 
the people. He was honest and upright in 

41 


42 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


transactions of business ; yet not over-scru- 
pulous where the interests of his clients were 
concerned. Neither enthusiastic nor impul- 
sive, he was not likely to speak or act rashly. 
A close observer of men and things, he knew 
how to adapt himself to circumstances, and 
make the most of them. In short, he was 
just the man to succeed in the place and po- 
sition he had chosen. 

About three years after he had commenced 
practice, the death of a lawyer in an adjoin- 
ing town threw a large amount of business 
into his hands, and he soon became a leading 
man in the county. He bought a good farm, 
married an amiable, accomplished woman, 
and considered himself fairly started in life. 
He met his friends cordially, and entertained 
them with an old-fashioned hospitality, seat- 
ing them at a well-furnished table, and pledg- 
ing them in the purest Cogniac. 

In those days there were few scruples in 
regard to the moderate use of intoxicating 
liquors. Clergymen and laymen alike re- 
garded it, as at worst, a foolish practice. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


43 


Esquire Randolph was no exception to the 
rule, yet he was a firm believer in temper- 
ance. 

He despised the man who neglected his 
business and "guzzled liquor” all day, while 
he had little sympathy for him who refused a 
social glass, upon the plea that he was " bet- 
ter off without it.” 

Years passed on. His business increased 
until it became burdensome, and he looked 
about for a suitable partner. William C. 
Vane, a young man who had just completed 
his course of study, was recommended, and 
after a short correspondence and two or three 
personal interviews, the terms of partnership 
were arranged. 

In a month, the young lawyer appeared, 
and found a temporary home in the family of 
Esquire Randolph. The two presented a 
striking contrast. The elder gentleman was 
tall and somewhat heavily built, while the 
younger was but little above the medium 
height, with a form straight and lithe as that 
of an Indian. 


44 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Iii feature and expression they were as un- 
like as in figure. Looking upon William 
Vane, one would have said that nature had 
designed him for an artist or a poet, rather 
than a country lawyer. Then, too, he was 
abstemious in his habits. His finely strung, 
nervous organization needed no stimulant. 
He worked better without it; indeed, he 
could not work well with it, — a fact of which 
he seemed fully aware. 

An enthusiastic lover of books and nature, 
he yet labored industriously in the office, 
arranging and copying the most tedious de- 
tails of the most " tedious suits.” 

He made friends rapidly among old and 
young, rich and poor ; and after a few months, 
became the owner of a desirable house, a 
short distance from the village. 

Here, he installed a young lady as mis- 
tress, and felt that he had a permanent home. 

"Just the wife for him,” said Mrs. Ran- 
dolph, returning from her first call upon the 
bride. " With tastes and sympathies so much 
alike, they cannot fail to be happy.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


45 


For a time they were very happy. There 
was no home where the love-light shone 
more brightly or more constantly. At the 
end of the second year of their marriage a 
babe lay cradled on the bosom of the wife, 
and the jmung husband rejoiced in the new 
relationship of father. 

"Eugenia Winslow,” he called his little 
daughter, in memory of the mother he had 
lost in early boyhood ; but this somewhat 
stately name was, by common consent, ab- 
breviated to " Genie Win.” 

Genie Win was a wonder of a baby, not 
only to her doting parents, but to Mrs. Ran- 
dolph’s five boys, who lavished praises and 
caresses upon her without measure. As she 
grew older, living in such an atmosphere of 
love and tenderness, she sung and sported all 
day long like some bright-winged bird. 

But a cloud was gathering over that home ; 
the husband and father had yielded to the 
influence of others, and no longer refused 
the social glass. " I don’t wish to be sin- 
gular,” he said, in reply to the remonstrances 


46 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


of his wife. " I only take a glass of wine 
occasionally with a friend. I hope you are 
not afraid of my becoming a sot.” 

She turned away with the great fear in her 
heart unspoken. Everything was against 
her. His habits had provoked many criti- 
cisms, and his partner congratulated him 
upon having thrown off the trammels of a 
"foolish notion.” 

As I have said, William Yane was a hard 
worker, and his close application to business, 
with the great effort necessary to control an 
over-stimulated brain, made visible inroads 
upon his health. Dr. Walton was consulted, 
but his remedies only increased the trouble. 
Some days he accomplished but little, and 
would work half the following nights to 
make amends for his remissness. All this 
time he was perfectly aware that he was do- 
ing himself a great injury, but, with the per- 
versity so common in such cases, he refused 
to acknowledge it. 

Twice every year, during the sessions of 
the county court, he resumed his habits of 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


47 


abstinence, when neither entreaty nor ridi- 
cule could prevail upon him to put the glass 
to his lips. Too much was at stake, and 
neither to gratify fashion nor appetite would 
he sacrifice the reputation he had gained. 

Strange infatuation that caused him, de- 
spite all this, to go on wasting his life and 
strength ! And yet he was not a sot, per- 
haps not even a drunkard. Many a man 
drank twice as much liquor as he without 
seeming either to himself or his friends to 
be injured thereby. But it was apparent to 
all that his fine intellect was often clouded, 
and by none was this more plainly seen than 
by his wife. 

She was not like Betsey Halsey. She could 
not attend to the duties of both house and 
office. She was so unhappy that it was with 
difficulty she forced herself to perform her 
home duties. Having trusted her husband 
implicitly, when he failed her the very 
ground seemed to sink beneath her feet. 
Her silent grief moved the heart of Mrs. 
Randolph to the most sincere pity, a feeling 


48 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


she presumed to manifest only by an added 
tenderness of manner to Genie Win, who 
every day grew more beautiful and charrn- 
ing. 

She was four years of age when she 
clapped her tiny hands with delight at the 
announcement that she had a baby brother. 
But this new life brought no joy to the 
mother’s heart. Her babe was baptized with 
tears, and she sometimes thought it would 
be a blessed thing to die. The weeks that 
followed were weeks of such suffering and 
wretchedness that life was a burden. 

The husband and father could not look 
upon all this without being deeply moved ; 
but for a time it seemed only to make him 
more reckless. Wild, weird fancies torment- 
ed him, and he sometimes wandered off 
alone, and set himself resolutely to combat 
them. At last he was conscious of the 
chains that bound him. He was a slave 
to the appetite for strong drink, and never 
did tyrant goad and lash his victim with 
greater cruelty. Most bitter was his humili- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


49 


ation. Again and again he resolved to be 
free, but in every contest the demon who 
held sway over his life proved the stronger. 

More and more of the office work devolved 
upon Esquire Randolph, who felt constrained 
to allude to the fact. 

His partner made no attempt to deny or 
extenuate his fault. 

" If you will have patience with me for 
one month, I will try what I can do,” was 
his only reply to the man whose example and 
influence had well-nigh proved his destruc- 
tion. 

He went home to his wife, confessed his 
sin, acknowledged the ruin which threatened 
him, and implored her aid. 

Gladly she responded. What would she 
not do to save her husband ? 

"But you must ask God’s help, or you will 
fail,” she said. 

" Oh ! that is what my mother taught me. 
My sainted mother ! How Air have I wan- 
dered from the path in which she led me!” 

Strength came in answer to prayer, and as 
4 


50 


THE TEMPEEANCE DOCTOK. 


time went by, in the oft renewed conflict the 
young lawyer came off conqueror. Abstain- 
ing from the use of all stimulants, he re- 
trieved the reputation he had so nearly lost, 
and his home was once more the abode of 
happiness. 

In the three years that followed he was 
conspicuous as one who never yielded his 
convictions of right, and who, at all times, 
consulted principle rather than feeling. Some 
might have thought him even stronger and 
better for the suffering through which he had 
passed ; but he ever looked back with a 
shudder. 

"If I could bear it all myself, my punish- 
ment would be light,” he often said to his 
wife, as, looking upon their boy, his eyes, 
would fill with tears. " God grant I may live 
to restrain and counsel him ! ” 

This dread of the future for his son was 
sometimes almost overpowering, and very 
early was the child taught lessons of self- 
control. The mother endeavored to combat 
what she considered a morbid fancy of her 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


51 


husband, never doubting that, under his 
guidance, Clarence would realize their fond- 
est hopes. 

Alas for human wisdom ! True it is that 
"man proposes and God disposes.” William 
Vane was prostrated with a sudden and se- 
vere illness, that rendered him unconscious. 
Nothing could save him from death ; but a 
lucid interval was mercifully given, in which 
he was able to speak some parting words to 
his wife and children. Then, as before, his 
anxiety was for Clarence, and his last words 
were a prayer that he might be saved from 
the sin which had darkened his whole life. 

Eugenia was then eight years of age, and 
Clarence four. According to the expressed 
wishes of their father, their guardianship was 
committed to Esquire Randolph, who gladly 
accepted the trust. Under his judicious 
management, the property left by his partner 
had more than doubled in value, while the 
income had been amply sufficient to meet the 
wants of the family. 

Genie had always been his especial pet 


52 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


ever since when, a wee toddling thing, she 
had shouted with joy at his approach, and 
grieved at his departure. Clarence occupied 
a place in his heart second only to that of 
his own sons, and he looked upon the hand- 
some, gifted boy with a father’s pride. He 
had no fears for the future. The boy was 
smart, and that satisfied him. 

Not so with the mother. It was apparent 
to her, while her sou was yet very young, 
that he inherited a tendency to intemperance. 
In combating this, she could look for no as- 
sistance from his guardian, but in answer to 
direct appeal she received a promise that he 
would never place temptation in his way. 

Mrs. Randolph sympathized with the moth- 
er. She knew, from her own observation, that 
there was cause for deep solicitude. As for 
her own sons, their father managed them, and 
she considered them safe, expecting that while 
conforming to the customs of society, they 
would become intelligent, enterprising men. 

Mrs. Vane had found it necessary to take 
Eugenia into her confidence, and in order to 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


53 


clo this, was forced to recall some sad pas- 
sages in the lives of her husband and herself. 

"I will help you, mother,” said the noble 
girl, even while her eyes were blinded with 
tears. "Clarence shall be saved; but don’t 
tell him of father,” she added. 

From that time, she became her brother’s 
constant companion, shared his sports, and 
even his labors. She interested herself in all 
his studies, and with her exuberant wit and 
fancy was always entertaining and attractive. 
Instead of lowering herself to his capacity, 
she had elevated him to her own standard, 
so that, when twelve years of age, he was as 
mature in thought and feeling as most boys 
at fifteen. 

One morning, when he was about thirteen, 
he asked his mother’s permission to join a 
fishing-party. Some boys from the acad- 
emy proposed spending the day on a pond 
about two miles distant from the village. 
Mrs. Vane was willing he should go, but 
Genie urged him to give up the project and 
go with her the next week. 


54 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


He would gladly go with her at any time ; 
but the excursion with his school-mates 
promised so much of pleasure, that he was 
unwilling to give it up. " I can stay at home, 
Genie, dear, but I wish very much to go,” 
he said. "You know I love you better than 
all the world beside, except mother, and if 
you say so, I never’ll go fishing in all my 
life.” 

Mrs. Vane chose that he should go. He 
could not be always with his sister, and there 
was certainly no harm in his spending a day 
on the pond. Even if he was exposed to 
temptation, he must sometime test the 
strength of his powers of resistance, and 
the trial might as well be made then as 
ever. 

He went whistling down the walk, swing- 
ing his basket of lunch, and turned round at 
the gate to kiss his hand to Genie, who stood 
watching him earnestly. .The morning was 
fully occupied, but the afternoon wore away 
slowly. Nothing seemed to interest the sis- 
ter. Even her music, which was such a con- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


55 


stant resource, failed her, for once. She 
had been wishing for several days to find 
time to practise a new piece, hut she was 
unable to fix her attention upon it. 

Her mother having gone out, she had no 
one to criticise her movements, and she wan- 
dered restlessly about the house, looking 
often from the windows that opened in the 
direction of the pond. Later, when her 
mother returned, she succeeded in appear- 
ing somewhat at ease. 

Towards evening, as they were expecting 
Clarence, one of the fishing-party, with whom 
Genie was well acquainted, came to the door. 
Without waiting to be summoned, she hast- 
ened to meet him. The name of her brother 
was the first word upon her lips. 

" He is safe,” was the reply to an eager 
question ; " but he acts strangely, and I 
thought I would come and tell you.” 

"Where is he?” 

"At the pond.” 

" What did you have to drink there ? ” she 
asked, almost in a whisper. 


56 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" Cider, and ” — He hesitated a moment. 
" There was a bottle of wine.” 

" Did Clarence drink any ? ” 

" The boys say that he did.” 

" Then, that’s the trouble,” she said. 
" Can’t he come home?” 

" He can’t walk, and refuses to ride.” 

" Then I will go to him. But first I must 
see mother.” 

Mrs. Vane, occupied in a remote part of 
the house, knew nothing of the conversation 
between her daughter and Selwyn Barnes. 
He came often to the house, and she was not 
surprised when Genie told her she was going 
to ride with him to the pond. "We shall 
take in Clarence, if we meet him,” she said. 

They did not meet him ; but they found 
him seated upon the ground, and leaning 
against a tree, his face flushed, and his whole 
appearance indicating a state of partial intox- 
ication. At sight of his sister, he covered 
his face with his hands. 

She could have sat down beside him and 
wept ; but it was no time for that. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


57 


"Clarence,” she said, by a great effort mas- 
tering her emotion, " will you ride home with 
us?” 

He shook his head without looking up. 

" But you must, brother.” She laid a hand 
upon his shoulder as she said this, and his 
companions walked away. " You must go 
home to mother. This is no place for you. 
It will soon be night.” 

Without speaking, he attempted to rise. 

" God help us ! ” exclaimed Genie, as he 
fell back. 

This was worse than Selwyn Barnes had 
expected ; but he was strong, and believed 
he could manage the boy. Once in the car- 
riage, he would be safe from observation 
until he reached home. 

"Come, Clarence,” he said cheerfully, "let 
me help you a little.” 

"Oh, dou’t let mother see me,” sobbed the 
boy, without heeding the offer of assistance. 

It was repeated, a friendly arm was thrown 
around him, and he stood upon his feet. 


58 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


"I can’t go home,” he said, staring vacantly 
at his sister. 

"You must,” she replied decidedly, lead- 
ing the way to the carriage. To get him 
seated in this was a work of some difficulty ; 
but it w r as accomplished, and they drove 
towards home. 

Not a word was spoken until they reached 
the gate. " I had better drive to the side- 
door,” said Selwyn Barnes. 

Genie sprang from the carriage, opened the 
gate, and ran forward to prepare her mother 
for the sad reception. A single sentence 
told all that was necessary ; but Mrs. Vane 
scarcely heard it. She fainted, and was only 
saved from falling by her daughter, who suc- 
ceeded in placing her upon the sofa, while 
Clarence was assisted to his room, where he 
was safely disposed of for the night. 

" Can I do anything more for you, Genie ? ” 
asked Selwyn Barnes, as he met her at the 
foot of the stairs. 

"Nothing,” was the reply. "Mother is. 
better now, and we shall do very well. I 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


59 


thank you,” she added, after a pause, " but I 
can never repay you.” 

The young man, for such he really was, 
being a year the senior of Eugenia Vane, was 
only too happy to have served her. He 
would gladly have offered sympathy and con- 
solation, but the words died on his lips. 
" Clarence will be none the worse for this in 
the morning,” he said, at length. "No one 
will think the less of him, and I’m sure it 
will never happen again.” 

He had enough of honor and manliness to 
keep the whole affair a profound secret ; but 
the news had already spread through the vil- 
lage, and it was generally known that Clar- 
ence Vane had been "carried home drunk.” 

The blow had come sooner than was ex- 
pected, and the mother found herself wholly 
unprepared to meet it. " What shall we do 
with Clarence in the morning?” she asked of 
her daughter. 

" Talk to him seriously, and tell him the 
whole truth,” was the prompt reply. 

"But think of his mortification.” 


60 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


"He must bear that, mother. He has 
brought it upon himself.” 

Oh, the wretched morning that followed, 
when mother and daughter, rising from sleep- 
less pillows, scarce dared to meet each oth- 
er’s gaze ! 

"It is time to call Clarence, Genie,” said 
Mrs. Vane, when breakfast was nearly 
ready. 

She lingered in the hall and on the stairs, 
delaying the painful meeting. A low knock 
upon the door of her brother’s room elicited 
no response. 

"Clarence, dear, may I come in?” she 
asked. 

There was no reply ; but the sister’s quick 
ear caught the sound of half-stifled sobbing, 
and waited no longer. 

"O Genie, can you ever forgive me?” 
he asked, as she clasped him in her arms. 

"I can, and do,” she replied ; " but it will 
kill me if it happens again.” 

"It shall never happen again,” he said in 
a voice of agony. " Does mother know ? ” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


61 


"Yes, brother, and she is waiting to see 
you.” 

They went down together. Clarence knelt 
at the feet of his mother, and implored her 
forgiveness. 

Freely, lovingly, was it given, and the 
boy rose from his humble position. 

" We’ll not talk about it now, my son. 
There will be plenty of time this evening. 
Let us forget it until then.” 

They seated themselves at the table, but 
they could not forget. 

" I cannot eat,” said Clarence. "Do please 
excuse me, mother, and let me go away by 
myself.” 

Genie soon followed, and Mrs. Yane had 
no heart to remain alone. Some comfort 
was gained from the reading of the Scripture 
lesson. There was still hope for the future. 

The family appeared in church that day, as 
usual. Genie would have it so. She knew 
they would be the objects of universal atten- 
tion ; but she knew, also, that a disagreeable 
position fairly met is more than half con- 


G2 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


quered, and nothing could be gained by se- 
clusion. It was a severe trial to Clarence, 
but he accepted it as a part of his deserved 
punishment. 

I will not detail the conversation of the 
evening. It is sufficient to say that the un- 
fortunate boy was made to comprehend his 
danger, and to see that there was safety only 
in the most rigid abstinence. 

On Monday morning the students of the 
academy were wondering in regard to Clar- 
ence Vane, and those who had expected some 
particular demonstration of feeling were 
surprised to see him chatting with Selwyn 
Barnes, as he walked leisurely down the 
street. His hat was lifted gracefully as ever, 
as he bowed to his teachers, and there was 
nothing in his appearance to indicate that 
anything unusual had occurred. 

Do not suppose from this that the event 
of Saturday was forgotten. On the con- 
trary, Clarence was painfully conscious of 
his disgrace, and it had seemed impossible to 
meet his companions that morning. Selwyn 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


63 


Barnes called for him, and thus supported by 
the first scholar in school, he was able to pass 
the ordeal. 

Of course, no one presumed to mention 
the affair in his presence, and, after a few 
days, it ceased to be mentioned at all. 

He went through the term of school with 
great credit, and received the unqualified 
commendation of his teachers. 

Still, his mother and sister watched him 
anxiously ; and Dr. Hall, who was aware of 
this, improved a favorable opportunity while 
in conversation with his young friend, to in- 
troduce the subject of teetotalism. 

The boy met him frankly, acknowledged 
his unfortunate appetite, and received just 
the advice which he needed. A mutual con- 
fidence was thus established between them, 
and Clarence was accustomed to quote the 
opinions of the doctor on all occasions. 

Genie acquired the same habit, much to 
the annoyance of her guardian. The scene 
in the chamber of the Eagle House, when 
his authority was set aside, and the glass 


64 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


dashed to the floor, roused his displeasure, 
and had it been possible for him to be really 
angry with his fair ward, this would have 
been sufficient provocation. 

"It’s all nonsense to make such a fuss 
about drinking a little brandy,” he said to his 
wife. "Mrs. Vane and Genie seem insane 
upon the subject of temperance.” 

"I don’t wonder at their anxiety,” was the 
reply. "Mrs. Vane suffered enough to make 
any woman insane, and she knows that Clar- 
ence inherits his father’s temperament.” 

This allusion was particularly disagreeable 
to the ’squire. He never understood the con- 
duct of his partner, and refused to acknowl- 
edge that total abstinence was necessary, 
even in his case. 

He was vexed that Dr. Hall should have 
presumed to interfere with Mr. Gore’s ar- 
rangements, and, when they met in the 
evening, it cost him something of an effort 
to refrain from speaking of what was upper- 
most in his mind. His emotions during the 
conversation, in which Bill Smith bore so 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


65 


conspicuous a part, can be better imagined 
than described. 

In his opinion the Eagle House was a re- 
spectable hotel, and its landlord, a gentle- 
man, pursuing a legitimate business. Dan 
Messer, he heartily despised, and considered 
his groggery the worst place in town. 

This was true in one sense. It was fre- 
quented by the lowest drunkards, and no one 
was so poor or vile as to be excluded, pro- 
vided only they had wherewith to pay for 
the poison dispensed from its bar. Yet the 
proprietor was accustomed to say that Gore 
helped him to a great deal of business, and 
he chuckled in his bachelor quarters over the 
prosperity of the landlord. 

There was an awkward silence in Mrs. 
Vane’s parlor after the doctor had taken his 
leave, and Esquire Randolph so far for- 
got himself as to commence pacing the 
floor nervously. 

At a sign from her mother, Genie seated 
herself at the piano and commenced playing. 
Fred Randolph recovered his self-possession 
5 


66 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


sufficiently to compliment her, and Clarence 
called for his favorite Grand March. 

"Bravo, Genie ! you never played that half 
so well before,” he exclaimed, coming to 
her side as she struck the last notes. 

The eloquent face of the boy told how 
keenly sensitive he was to all outer influ- 
ences. Well was it for him that the mother 
who watched him so anxiously was gifted 
with fine instincts and clear vision. 

" Music has a wonderful effect upon you,” 
said the ’squire. 

"It has,” was the reply. "My heart al- 
ways keeps time with it; but when Genie 
plays that march, I feel like a conqueror 
waiting for his crown.” 

" A poetical idea, truly,” said Fred Ran- 
dolph. "But how is it when you play your- 
self ?” 

" The crown seems farther oflf.” 

" Strange boy, truly,” thought his guar- 
dian. "I should hardly know what to do with 
him if he really belonged to me.” 

Often, during that evening, had Mrs. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


67 


Yane’s heart been lifted to God in thankful- 
ness, and she was glad to be left alone with 
her children, that she might give utterance 
to this emotion. 

It was late when they retired ; later still 
when they slept. Clarence was too much 
excited to close his eyes. His peril in the 
water would have been sufficient to engross 
his thoughts ; but this seemed of little con- 
sequence in comparison with the still greater 
peril from which his sister had saved him. 
He did not wish or intend to drink the 
brandy, but its subtle fumes appealed to his 
senses, and he trembled as he remembered 
his weakness. 

"Better die than drink it!” Words ut- 
tered in a moment of intense excitement, but 
he knew that they expressed the real senti- 
ments of his sister. 

Long before his usual time for rising, he 
went below stairs, threw open the windows, 
and looked out upon a landscape flushed with 
the first rays of the morning sun. Genie 
soon joined him, and they had a long con- 


68 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


versation in regard to the events of the pre- 
vious day. 

" Mr. Gore will expect me to call upon 
Carl, to-day,” said Clarence ; " but I feel as 
though I could never go there again in my 
life, and lam sure mother don’t wish to have 
me.” 

"I can go with you,” said Genie, "and 
then mother will make no objections.” 

For once Mrs. Vane gave her consent that 
Clarence should call at the Eagle House. 
She had never allowed him even to go upon 
the piazza, and while most of the academy 
boys stopped there, on their way to and from 
school, he passed by on the other side. 

" My guardian angel goes with me,” he 
said, playfully, throwing an arm around his 
sister. "By the way, Genie, you had better 
give Fred Randolph a little sisterly advice. 
He goes to the Eagle House pretty often.” 

" I am sorry for it,” was the quiet reply, 
but I have no influence.” 

"Other people don’t agree with you. I 
heard ” — 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


69 


"Don’t talk nonsense, brother,” she said, 
a little impatiently, just as the young gentle- 
man in question passed them with uplifted 
hat, and a pleasant "good-morning.” 

"Handsome, isn’t he, Genie?” 

"Perhaps so,” was the absent reply. 

"Any way he saved my life, and I owe 
him something for that.” 

" So you do, Clarence. I had almost for- 
gotten it. We must all thank him for 
that.” 

Dr. Hall saw the brother and sister com- 
ing, and waited at the door to speak to 
them. 

"Come in,” he said, cordially. " Annie 
is busy now, but she’ll be at liberty soon.” 

"We can’t stop this morning, doctor,” said 
Genie. " We are going to see Carl Gore.” 

"But I must see Clarence. A little pale 
this morning,” he said, looking steadily at 
his young friend. " Guess you didn’t sleep 
much last night.” 

"Not a wink, doctor, and I feel now, as 
though I should never sleep again.” 


70 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


You’ll change your mind before midnight 
comes round. I prescribe a sleeping potion 
in the shape of a long ride. I am going to 
consult with another physician, about ten 
miles from here, this afternoon, and shall be 
glad to have you go with me.” 

While the doctor was prescribing for Clar- 
ence, Genie had found the lady of the house, 
and there was danger of her forgetting the 
object for which she had left home. 

"I must go now,” she said, at length, as 
her brother called her. 

Eugenia and Clarence Vane had only en- 
tered the hall of the Eagle House, when Mr. 
Gore met them with extended hands, and 
welcomed them most cordially. 

"Carl has been talking about you all the 
morning,” he said, as he led the way to the 
sitting-room, where the boy lay, bolstered 
up upon a couch. 

He was looking pale and haggard, not 
much like "a little Dutchman,” as his father 
was accustomed to call him. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


71 


As Clarence entered the room, he sprang 
up and cried out, — 

" How good you were to go down into that 
dreadful place after me ! Mother told me all 
about it. Were you afraid? ” he asked, with- 
out waiting for a reply to his first exclama- 
tion. 

" 1 was afraid you would be drowned ; and 
you came very near it.” 

”1 know. Mother told me all about it,” 
again said the boy, as he lay back upon the 
pillows. 

By this time, Genie was seated, and Mrs. 
Gore came into the room. It was the first 
time she had received a call from one of Mrs. 
Vane’s family, and she expressed her gratifi- 
cation frankly, while she renewed her thanks 
to Clarence. 

Carl held his hand and talked constantly. 
The little fellow had a loving heart, and was 
anxious to make some suitable expression of 
his gratitude. "Please, mother, give Clar- 
ence some of my wine,” he said, and, before 


72 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Clarence had time to reply, decanter and 
glasses were placed upon the table. 

"Excuse me, Mrs. Gore,” he said, "but I 
never drink wine.” 

" Never ! ” she repeated in a tone of sur- 
prise. "But you surely will drink some this 
morning with Carl ? ” and she proceeded to fill 
the glasses. 

" It is good, Clarence,” said the boy, ear- 
nestly. " I know you’ll like it, if you only 
take a little taste.” 

" But I can’t take a little taste,” was the 
reply. 

"I want you to drink with me. I thought 
you would,” continued Carl. "Won’t you?” 

"No, Carl, you must not ask me to do 
that.” 

Mrs. Gore had no better success with the 
sister, and, after all, Carl was obliged to 
drink his wine alone. 

"You will feel better now, darling,” said 
the mother, as she took the empty glass. 

"Yes, it always makes me feel better,” was 
the child’s reply. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


73 


The call was no longer than civility re- 
quired, and when Eugenia Vane went out of 
that house, she resolved that her brother 
should never enter it again, if she could 
prevent it. 

"O Genie,” he said, when they were quite 
by themselves, " why will people urge me to 
drink wine? It is so hard to refuse.” 

" Think how much harder it would be to 
yield and make us all so wretched.” 

"So it would, Genie, dear. I will try 
never to forget that. I must talk with the 
doctor about it. He always helps me.” 

The long ride that afternoon furnished a 
good opportunity for the talk, and Clarence 
was made stronger to resist temptation by 
the counsel he received. 

The doctor’s route was by the house of 
Tim Allen, and after he was quite past he 
heard a woman’s voice, calling upon him to 
* stop. 

"No more trouble, I hope, Mrs. Halsey,” 
he said, as he recognized his acquaintance of 
the previous night. 


74 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


"The trouble is with Mrs. Allen, now,” 
was the reply. " She has a severe headache, 
and seems feverish. Tim has gone to the 
shop. I told him I’d stay with his wife.” 

Mrs. Allen was in a worse condition than 
she or her neighbor had thought. There was 
every reason to fear a severe sickness. "Til 
see Mr. Allen as I go along,” said the doctor. 

" He may prefer to send for Dr. Walton.” 

"He’ll get a piece of my mind if he does,” 
replied Betsey Halsey. "I know just how 
things will go, and Tim will be drunk within 
a week.” 

" Guess not,” was the laconic reply. 

When Dr. Hall drove up to the black- 
smith’s shop, Tim Allen was trying to shoe 
some oxen, and very poor business he made 
of it. His hands trembled like those of an 
old man, and the owner of the oxen was 
obliged to do most of the work. 

" Mrs. Halsey asked me to call and see* 
your wife,” said the doctor. "She will prob- 
ably have a fever. I thought I would tell 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


75 


you, so that you can send for your family 
physician at once.” 

This information was given in the least 
possible time, and the speaker drove off, 
leaving the blacksmith pale with affright. 
Recovering from his surprise, he shouted to 
the doctor at the top of his voice, and desired 
him to return. 

"Are you going back?” asked Clarence. 

"I think I must,” was the reply as the 
horse was turned. " What’s wanted, Mr. 
Allen?” 

"I want you to go back and see to my 
wife. For God’s sake, don’t let her die,” he 
added in an undertone. 

"That would be rather bad for you just at 
this time,” was the consoling reply. "I’ll do 
the best I can.” 

The second call at the house was somewhat 
longer than the first, and all necessary direc- 
tions were given for the treatment of the sick 
woman. Tim Allen stood at the door of his 
shop when the doctor drove past, but he 
received no attention. 


76 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


” I can see him when I come back;” was the 
reply to Clarence’s expression of surprise. 

It was late in the evening when Dr. Hall 
reached home, and then only to find that he 
must ride still farther before allowing himself 
time to rest. " You’ll not lie awake to-night 
if you are half so sleepy as I am,” he said on 
parting from his young companion. 

" I shall sleep if I can only forget my dan- 
ger.” 

" Danger ! ” repeated the doctor. " Never 
talk of danger, Clarence, when everything 
depends upon your own decision. With 
God’s help you will come off conqueror.” 

Left alone, the boy bowed his head rever- 
ently, and uttered the petition, which should 
be often upon all human lips, "Lead us not 
into temptation.” 


m. 


No rest for the drunkard’s wife, 
No respite from sin and sorrow; 
Each day of a wretched life 
But heralds a darker morrow. 


Summer had passed. The hoar frost lay 
thick upon the crisp, brown grass, and the 
leafless trees stood like grim sentinels against 
a leaden November sky. 

This month, so often stigmatized as "sad- 
dest of all the year,” was, indeed, the glad- 
dest ; for the earth had yielded richly of its 
abundance, filling storehouse and granary 
with plenty for man and beast. 

"We’ve had a glorious harvest,” said one 
farmer to another, as he threw open the wide 
barn-doors, revealing the heavy shocks of 
corn, piled to the very eaves. "I never saw 


77 


78 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


such a sight as that in my barn before. 
There’ll be work in husking, this year.” 

Merry work, too, it proved, as the glad 
strains of " Harvest Home” echoed and re- 
echoed among the time-stained rafters. " No 
danger of hunger this winter. Enough and to 
spare,” were the words upon every tongue. 

Yet there was danger of hunger in some 
homes, where poverty was a sin, — drunkards’ 
homes, where was no comfort for the pres- 
ent, and no provident care for the future. 

One such home I will describe ; not be- 
cause it was more wretched than many an- 
other, but because the culture and refinement 
of its inmates made the wretchedness more 
conspicuous. The place was known as the 
"Ruggles Farm,” and was situated about two 
miles from the Eagle House. Early in the 
spring, a Mr. Hosford, having rented the 
house and a few acres of land, moved there 
with his family, consisting of a wife and four 
children. He was a young man, — not more 
than thirty-five years of age, — and though 
plainly dressed, gave unmistakable proofs of 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


79 


having seen better days. Mrs. Hosford was 
evidently accustomed to good society, and in 
taste And good-breeding was much superior 
to her neighbors. The children were well- 
behaved, good scholars, and somewhat re- 
markable for their strong mutual attachment, 
which was manifested on all occasions. 

The ground of Mr. Hosford was as well 
prepared and as early planted as that of any 
farmer about him. This being done, he 
found time to do an occasional day’s work 
for others, when his application and good- 
will made amends for an evident want of 
skill, which is gained only by long-continued 
practice. 

Wherever he went he attracted attention 
by refusing to taste liquor of any kind, not 
even making an exception in favor of cider, 
the universal New England beverage. 

"I don’t exactly know what to make of 
him,” said the wife of a farmer for whom he 
worked. "He is a gentleman without dress- 
ing like one, and he looks entirely out of 
place when he comes in with the other men.” 


80 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


After a time the story became current that 
Mr. Hosford was a broken-down merchant, 
and some said that he had been a hard ‘drink- 
er ; but this was not easily credited. 

Two or three women, noted for their " in- 
quiring turn of mind,” took their knitting 
and went to spend an afternoon with his wife, 
hoping to learn something in regard to the 
antecedents of the. family. 

But in this they were disappointed, as was 
manifest by the dissatisfaction expressed on 
their way home. 

"Miss Hosford’s a mighty close woman,” 
said one ; " I thought I’d cornered her two or 
three times, but she slipped out of it easy as 
could be, and I don’t know no more about 
her than I did before.” 

" I know one thing,” was the reply ; " she’s 
the best hand with her needle I ever see, and 
she’s promised to cut and make my new silk.” 

"Well,” broke in the third, " I guess they’re 
poor enough by the looks of her table. Only 
one kind of cake, and not even a piece of 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


81 


cheese to eat with the bread and butter. I 
asked her to make me a visit, and I mean to 
show her what I call a good supper. I won- 
der what the children had to eat.” 

Her curiosity would have been gratified 
had she looked into Mrs. Hosford’ s kitchen, 
where the four children were eating corn- 
bread and milk with evident relish. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Hosford was noticed by 
some of the more intelligent men of the vil- 
lage. Esquire Randolph met him accident- 
ally, as he was passing the farm, entered into 
conversation with him, and found, to his sur- 
prise, that he was a graduate of a New Eng- 
land college, and had once commenced the 
study of law. 

The ’squire took advantage of every oppor- 
tunity to cultivate the acquaintance thus com- 
menced, and called at the Ruggles Farm with 
his wife. Mr. Hosford was absent from 
home, but Mrs. Hosford met them cordially 
and entertained them pleasantly. No apol- 
ogy was made for the work which covered 
her table, and which had been laid aside at the 


82 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


entrance of her guests. The children were 
seated near the house, under the shade of a 
large tree ; the older ones engaged in braid- 
ing straw, while the younger braided grass, 
in imitation of their sisters. 

" What a sad face the oldest girl has ! ” said 
Mrs. Randolph to her husband, as they rode 
away. "Her mother says she is only ten 
years old, but she looks as though she had 
seen a great deal of sorrow for a child of that 
age.” 

" I didn’t notice her particularly,” was the 
’squire’s reply. " I was looking at the boy. 
He is the very image of his father.” 

" And Hattie looks like her mother. They 
must be poor,” she added, after a pause. 

” I suspect they are,” replied her husband. 
" There seemed to be nothing superfluous 
about the house, and I heard some one re- 
mark that Mrs. Hosford is very glad to do 
any kind of sewing for her neighbors. The 
children seemed industrious.” 

" Too industrious for such children,” said 
Mrs. Randolph ; " and I couldn’t help think- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


83 


ing, as I looked at them, that they are too 
old for their years. Not because they are 
bold or forward, but their faces have a ma- 
ture look.” 

This call was made the last of June, just 
as haying had commenced, and, for the next 
few weeks, everybody in this farming com- 
munity was busy in securing the heavy crop 
of grass. Mr. Hosford worked constantly. 
Early and late was he in the hay-field. The 
heat of the sun was almost unendurable; but 
he steadily refused to drink either rum, whis- 
key, or gin ; and this was done with such 
dignity that few presumed to urge him. 

"You’ll give out, some day,” said one of 
the men with whom he worked. " It takes 
something stronger than tea and coffee to get 
a man through haying.” 

"When I can’t work on that, I’ll stop,” 
was the decided reply. 

There came a day when he did stop. A 
large quantity of grass was down, and nearly 
ready for the barn, when signs of rain ap- 
peared ; and Mr. Ellis, for whom Mr. IIos- 


84 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

ford was at work, urged his men to the great- 
est exertions. The air was heated as by a 
huge furnace, and one after another of the 
workmen, fairly panting for breath, declared 
they could do no more. 

Only the " tea and coffee man ” remained 
at his post, and the last load of hay was being 
driven from the field by his employer when 
he sank down, utterly exhausted. 

The first drops of rain had fallen when 
the hoofs of the oxen rang upon the barn- 
floor, and Mr. Ellis looked back for his com- 
panion. Not seeing him, he sprang from his 
high position, released the tired animals, and 
went to the field. 

Here he found Mr. Hosford stretched upon 
the ground, apparently unconscious. Fortu- 
nately, as the farmer thought, a jug, which 
had been forgotten, was standing near, and, 
upon examination, he found it contained a 
few drops of liquor. This was administered, 
and, after a few struggles, the suffering man 
drew a long breath, and closed his lips 
tightly. 


t 


( 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


85 


By this time a daughter of Mr. Ellis had 
reached the field in answer to a call from 
him as he was hastening on, and she was 
sent to bring water from the brook that flowed 
near. By a liberal application of this, Mr. 
Hosford was so far restored, that, after a few 
minutes, he was able, with the assistance of 
Mr. Ellis, to reach the house. 

Here, he was offered a glass of brandy, 
which he did not refuse. 

” Had to come to it at last,” said one of 
the men in a low tone to a companion. " I 
knew how ’twould be. The only wonder is 
he held out so long.” 

It rained heavily until nearly night; and 
then, contrary to his usual custom, Mr. Hos- 
ford seemed in no haste to go home. After 
he started he stopped frequently, and paused 
even on the threshold of his own door. He 
entered the room where his wife was sewing, 
with a hesitating step, which caused her to 
look up quickly. 

"God pity me!” she exclaimed, after a 


86 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


moment’s scrutiny of his face, and bowed her 
head upon the table before her. 

"O John, Is it possible you have broken 
your pledge again?” she asked, after a long 
silence. 

"I drank a glass of brandy as medicine,” 
he replied ; but he knew that he was uttering 
a falsehood, for he had drank the brandy, 
not because his health, but his appetite, 
demanded it. 

Small consolation was this to his wife ; and 
when she resumed her sewing, it was with a 
heavy heart and weary hands. 

"Don’t work any more to night, Susan,” 
said her husband. "You are tired enough 
now.” 

"I am tired,” was the reply; "but before 
you came in I had not thought of fatigue.” 

"May I tell you all about it?” he asked, 
drawing his chair to her side. 

"Yes, tell me,” she said, looking him full 
in the face. 

An account of the day’s work was given, 
with its attendant circumstances. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


87 


"But, John, it was not necessary for you 
to drink the brandy,” said Mrs. Hosford, 
as her husband concluded his narration. " I 
am sorry you did that.” 

w I am sorry, too, wife ; but you need not 
fear for the future. It is the last time.” 

" The last time ! ” How often had she 
trusted those words, only to find that she had 
been cruelly deceived ! What wonder that 
she now received them coldly, and turned 
from him who uttered them ! 

He might sleep that night, but she could 
not. Sitting alone, she sewed until the work 
fell from her nerveless hands. She opened 
her Bible and read, then went out and gazed 
upon the star-spangled sky, wondering if 
there was rest for her this side of heaven. 

The next day passed wearily. Mr. Hos- 
ford was from home, and his wife found it 
impossible to employ herself as usual. But 
when he returned early in the evening, and 
met her without hesitation, she knew that he 
had been true to himself. 

The next week, it was necessary for him 


88 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

to go to the village on business, and here he 
met Esquire Randolph, who invited him to 
go into the Eagle House and discuss the 
news. 

He declined at first, offering as an excuse 
his want of time ; but this was not accepted, 
and, after considerable hesitation, he for the 
first time entered the hotel, and was intro- 
duced to the smiling landlord. 

"If my office was not so far away, I should 
have invited Mr. Hosford there,” said the 
’squire. 

" I am very glad it is no nearer,” was the 
bland reply, as the door was thrown open to 
an apartment adjoining the bar-room, and the 
gentlemen invited to enter. It was just the 
place for a pleasant gossip, and a quiet discus- 
sion of news. 

Mr. Gore understood his business too well 
to intrude, but, after a few minutes, he re- 
turned and placed some wine upon the table. 
Esquire Randolph filled the glasses, and set 
one before his companion, while he continued 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


89 


the conversation, sipping occasionally from 
his own glass. 

"You have not tasted your wine,” he said 
at length to Mr. Hosford. 

"I seldom drink wine,” was the evasive 
reply. 

"You certainly will not refuse to drink 
to our better acquaintance,” said 'the ’squire, 
in a confident tone. "I am a temperance 
man, but I think an occasional glass of wine 
good for the health of both mind and body.” 

The tempted man thought for a moment 
of wife and children, but he yielded, and 
went out of that room with the painful con- 
sciousness that he had again perjured him- 
self. 

Mrs. Hosford had made unusual prepara- 
tions for supper that evening, and for once 
the children were not to eat bread and milk. 
They were somewhat impatient, but " Not 
■ till father comes,” was the mother’s reply to 
their repeated inquiries. When the head of 
"Old Dobbin” was seen through the trees, 
they ran into the house to announce the fact, 


90 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


and then hastened to assist in unloading the 
wagon. 

Mr. Hosford had been generous in his out- 
lay that afternoon, and brought home many 
comforts to which his family had long been 
unaccustomed. After the supper was eaten 
and complimented, he employed himself out 
of doors until late in the evening. 

Having escaped the observation of his fam- 
ily in this instance of indulgence, he ven- 
tured again to yield to the solicitations of 
his companions, and the clamorous demands 
of his appetite. Whenever he was in the 
village, he visited the Eagle House, where he 
was sure to meet a cordial reception and con- 
genial company. His presence in the bar- 
room was considered quite an attraction ; and, 
flattered by the attentions he received, his 
visits became more frequent. 

Of course he did not go there and make 
himself singular by refusing to patronize the 
bar. He gradually became one of Mr. 
Gore’s best customers, neglecting his home 
duties, and leaving his wife and children to 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


91 


provide for themselves. His earnings were 
spent for his own gratification, and he was so 
often idle that these hardly sufficed to meet 
the demands made upon them. 

His wife watched his downward course 
almost in silence, redoubling her own exer- 
tions. She had become quite popular as a 
dress-maker, and had more work crowded 
upon her than she could well perform. She 
was needed, too, out of doors. The crops, 
that had so amply repaid the labor bestowed 
upon them, must be secured from the frost. 
Her husband failed to do this, and, with the 
aid of her children, she attempted the addi- 
tional labor. 

He must have been mortified when he saw 
this ; but who ever knew the mortification of 
a drunkard to work any good results ? He 
must have remembered when he had stood at 
the altar with his bride, promising to love 
and cherish her through life ; but what are 
such vows to the drunkard? What cares a 
drunkard for the suffering and degradation 
of his family? Mr. Hosford, educated and 


92 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


refined as he really was, proved no exception 
to the brutalizing effects of intoxicating 
drinks. He was as regardless of the happi- 
ness of his wife and children as the coarsest, 
most illiterate man could have been. Yet he 
managed to maintain a tolerably respectable 
appearance, and, though rarely sober, was 
never seen absolutely intoxicated. For this 
he was indebted to his wife, who preferred 
that he should drink at home, if he must 
drink at all, and many a night she plied the 
needle while he slept the heavy, unnatural 
sleep of the drunkard. 

Mrs. Hosford was a proud woman, too 
proud to parade her sufferings or the faults 
of her husband. She had neighbors who 
would gladly have assisted her ; but she would 
neither ask the assistance nor acknowledge 
the need. 

Apples and vegetables were easily disposed 
of, for the children could do much in garden 
and orchard. But there was a fine piece of 
corn that had stood uncut quite too long ; and 
when she mentioned it to her husband, he 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


93 


gruffly told her, if she wanted the corn, she 
might harvest it herself. She had not 
thought this possible ; but under the circum- 
stances she resolved to try what she could do. 
She chose a moonlight night, when she con- 
sidered herself in no danger of being ob- 
served, to make her first experiment, and 
succeeded far better than she had expected. 
Not in one night or two was this accom- 
plished, but at last, after much labor, the 
corn was cut. Then it must be carried into 
the barn ; and she hoped her husband could 
be persuaded to attend to that. 

" You’ve begun the job, and you may finish 
it,” was the only reply he vouchsafed. 

He was very angry when he said that, — 
angry because his wife had refused to let him 
have money, which she well knew would be 
worse than wasted. 

"No, John Hosford,” she said, "I have 
earned what money I have, and I will keep 
it for myself and children. You can drink 
up your own earnings, but you shall never 
again drink mine.” 


94 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Mr. Hosford was going to the village, and 
the money, could he have obtained it, was to 
be paid to Mr. Grore. His brandy-flask was 
empty, and must be replenished. He had 
never asked for credit at the bar of the Eagle 
House ; but, for once, he resolved to do it. 
The landlord was happy to oblige him, and 
the first charge was placed against his name. 
Then he went home and drank worse than 
usual, terrifying his children, who fled from 
his presence. 

Nothing could be hoped from him, and his 

wife resolved that the corn should go into the 

barn. She w r aited that evening until her 

© 

children were asleep, and then took a wheel- 
barrow to the field. She found much diffi- 
culty in loading the corn, still more in 
carrying it, and only the imperative " must ” 
caused her to persevere. 

But help came from an unexpected source. 
Dr. Hall was passing the Ruggles Farm, on 
his return from a late visit, when his curiosity 
was excited by seeing a woman in the field. 
Looking closely, he felt sure that it was Mrs. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


95 


Hosford carrying shocks of corn in a wheel- 
barrow. He clid not need to be told the rea- 
son of this. He understood it instantly. 

To ride on, and leave that woman at work 
there, alone in the moonlight, was more than 
he could do ; and, without stopping to think 
how awkward would be the meeting, he went 
towards her. She recognized him, and, 
thankful that it was "only the doctor,” expe- 
rienced a feeling of relief. 

"This is a late hour to work,” he said, 
quite at a loss how to commence the conver- 
sation. 

"All hours are alike to a drunkard’s 
wife,” she replied, with bitter emphasis. 

"But you need rest,” he continued. 

" There is no rest for a drunkard’s wife.” 

"Is this the only way your corn can be 
harvested ? ” asked the doctor. 

" My husband will not do it, and I will not 
ask the assistance of my neighbors. I cut 
it myself.’-’ Noticing her companion’s look 
of astonishment, she continued, "I have done 
nearly all kinds of work within the last five 


96 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


years ; but this is new to me, and I am 
almost discouraged/’ 

"Let me wheel this to the barn, and to- 
morrow morning I will come over early, w T ith 
a wagon, and take care of the rest.” 

"I thank you, but that would make me a 
world of trouble,” said the wretched woman. 
" My husband would be angry, and, besides, 
I’m too proud to have it talked of.” 

The doctor considered. He had seen a 
lumber wagon by the side of the road, not 
far from there, and he proposed to harness 
his horse to it, and do the work that night. 
Despite Mrs. Hosford’s objections, he pro- 
ceeded to execute his plan, and the corn was 
safely housed. 

"I cannot express my thanks, but I know 
God will bless you,” she said. " I shall never 
forget this kindness. I thought I was utterly 
forsaken.” 

" I would gladly assist you still more,” 
replied the doctor. " I intend to do good as 
I have opportunity; but this was wholly 
unexpected.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


97 


" If any one could induce Mr. Gore to re- 
fuse my husband liquor, there would be some 
hope for him.” 

"I will go to him. He considers himself 
under some obligation to me, and it is pos- 
sible that I may succeed. At any rate, I will 
try.” 

A ray of hope cheered the heart of the 
drunkard’s wife, as she kneeled that night in 
prayer, and, when the morning dawned, she 
rose and went about her daily toil with some- 
thing like cheerfulness. 

Dr. Hall, mindful of his promise, made an 
early call upon Mr. Gore, and, finding him 
alone, proceeded at once to state his business. 

"Mr. Gore, I have come to desire you to 
sell no more liquor to Mr. Hosford.” 

The landlord was confounded ; and had the 
speaker been any other man in town, it is 
probable that he would have been shown to 
the door without ceremony. But Mr. Gore 
had a memory if not a conscience, and it was 
impossible for him to treat the doctor with 
rudeness. 


7 


98 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" If Mr. Hosford comes to me and wants 
anything in my line, how shall I answer 
him?” he asked, after some hesitation. 

" Tell him he cannot have it.” 

" And if I refuse him, why not others ? ” 
"You should refuse others. Indeed, you 
ought to close your bar at once and forever.’ ’ 
" What if I should tell you that you ought 
to give up the practice of your profession ? ” 

" I should ask you why I ought to give it 
up ? ” replied the doctor. 

" So I ask you why I should give up my 
business ? ” 

This was a very inconsiderate remark of 
Mr. Gore, and he regretted it as soon as 
made ; still more when it was answered. 

"Because you are ruining the souls and 
bodies of men, making homes wretched, and 
beggaring innocent women and children.” 

The landlord winced under this direct 
charge. "You are severe, doctor,” he at 
last found voice to say. 

"Facts are severe. You are engaged in 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


99 


making drunkards, — the vilest business 
under heaven.” 

The speaker was getting excited, but he 
spoke only the truth. Mr. Gore felt obliged 
to say something, and he took refuge in his 
respectability. 

" I make drunkards !” he exclaimed, in a 
tone of well-feigned horror. " I keep a re- 
spectable house, and never allow drunkards 
on my premises.” 

" I know you never have such miserable- 
looking wretches in your bar-room as are 
seen at Dan Messer’s ; but most of those 
men have once been your customers.” 

This was stoutly denied, but the doctor 
repeated such a catalogue of names as made 
denial absurd, and the landlord was only 
anxious to close the interview as quickly and 
as quietly as possible. 

" Well, doctor,” he said, with a sickly 
smile, " I’m afraid we never shall think alike 
about this matter, and, after all, each one 
has a right to his own opinion.” 

"No, Mr. Gore, I cannot accept that last 


100 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


conclusion. No one has a right to entertain 
an erroneous opinion. But what of Mr. 
Hosford?” 

"I can make no pledges in regard to him.” 

" And this is what I shall tell his wife,” 
said the doctor, in a tone of disappoint- 
ment. 

Mr. Gore was getting impatient, as was 
manifested by his reply. 

"You can tell her whatever you please,” 
he said. "And, according to my ideas, she 
had better attend to her own affairs, and not 
interfere with her husband’s business. He is 
a gentleman, and seems fully capable of 
taking care of himself.” 

" A gentleman ! ” repeated the doctor, with 
scorn. " He might be if he would let liquor 
alone. As it is, his wife is obliged to attend 
both to his business and her own. She is a 
lady, and does not need to be told w 7 hat is 
proper. Good-morning, sir.” 

"What has happened ?” asked Mrs. Hall, 
as her husband strode into the sitting-room, 
where she was busily engaged. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


101 


" I’ve been to the Eagle House, and I be- 
lieve I’m somewhat vexed,” was the reply. 
" Everybody is ready to cry out against Dan 
Messer. Even Esquire Randolph and Dr. 
Walton do that, while they consider Mr. 
Gore a gentleman, engaged in a legitimate 
business. But, in my opinion, Bill Smith 
was right in his estimate of the two men. I 
know I am excited,” he continued, in reply 
to a mute appeal from his wife, " but I have 
seen and heard enough, during the last 
twenty-four hours, to excite any man who 
has a heart.” 

When Esquire Randolph made his morn- 
ing call at the hotel, the landlord entertained 
him with a recital of" the conversation be- 
tween Dr. Hall and himself. 

"The young doctor is getting quite too 
presuming,” was the reply. "As for Hos- 
ford, I’m afraid he isn’t quite so temperate 
as he ought to be ; but I don’t know as you 
are to blame for that.” 

Not one thought had the speaker that he 
was "to blame ” for the sin of the man whose 


102 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


ruin he so cruelly discussed. " Only a glass 
of wine ! Any man is a fool who can’t drink 
that without injury.” 

It may be, but there are many such men ; 
ay, and women too. 

If Mr. Gore had the least idea of comply- 
ing with the doctor’s request, he was sure 
not to do so after he had consulted with his 
friend, the ’squire. Mr. Hosford had no 
difficulty in obtaining what brandy he de- 
sired, so long as the charges against him 
did not exceed the value of property he was 
known to possess. The landlord knew there 
were a good cow, and a few tons of hay, at 
the Ruggles Farm, that could be easily trans- 
ferred to his barn. What business was it of 
his that wife and children suffered? 

The face of Hattie Hosford grew paler, 
and the look of sadness deepened, while she 
braided straw still more industriously. " And 
we shall lose this cow,” she said to her 
mother. " Father always sells the cow 
when” — 

The child could not finish the sentence, 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


103 


and there was no need. The mother knew 
that her husband was a debtor to Mr. Gore, 
and that, when the day for settlement came, 
everything would be sacrificed. The money 
with which the cow had been bought was 
given her by some friends, who wished to 
"help the family start in a new place,” and 
if this went, there seemed no way to provide 
food for her children. 

Poor Hattie wept in anticipation of the 
calamity. " What shall we do, then?” she 
asked. 

" Trust God, my darling,” was the mother’s 
reply. 

"But, if he’s so good, I shouldn’t think 
he’d let father be so wicked. I ask him not 
to, every day, but it don’t do any good.” 

This problem puzzles older and wiser 
heads. No wonder that the child’s faith 
staggered. Grieving and working, her 
health at last gave way. The simple rem- 
edies failed of their usual effect, and Dr. 
Hall was called in. He was interested in 
hfs little patient, and tried to engage her 


104 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


in cheerful conversation. But this was im- 
possible. She could think only of their 
troubles, and her anxiety to get well, so 
that she could work. 

w Fortunately, the father was absent ; and, 
in conversing with Mrs. Hosford, the doctor, 
with the utmost delicacy, alluded to her cir- 
cumstances. 

"We certainly have no luxuries,” she said 
in reply. "But I should be thankful, if I 
was sure of our present comfort. Thanks to 
you, there is corn in the barn, if my husband 
will attend to having it ground ; so that we 
can live so long as we have a cow. But that 
will probably go for debt, and winter is at 
hand.” 

Gladly would the doctor have assisted her, 
but he could think of no way in which to do 
it. "I’ll ask Annie,” he said to himself. 

She was fertile in expedients, and he hoped 
she could suggest some way by which the 
cow could be kept for the use of the family. 
With a promise to call again the next morn- 
ing, he took his leave. He had not ridden 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


105 


far, when he met Mr. Hosford, and stopped 
to talk with him. "I have just come from 
your house,” he said. 

The man he addressed was sober, but dis- 
inclined to conversation. Nothing daunted, 
however, he proceeded. "I found your old- 
est child quite sick. There is some danger 
of a fever.” 

This arrested the father’s attention. "I 
didn’t know she was sick,” he said. "I hope 
it will prove nothing serious.” 

"I hope so too,” was the reply. "If she 
was more cheerful, there would be little to 
fear; but she seems unnaturally depressed. 
I am inclined to think she has worked too 
hard. Such children ought not to be con- 
fined too closely ; and your Hattie, especially, 
needs tender care.” 

As the doctor said this, he touched his 

horse with the whip, and was soon out of 

sight, while Mr. Hosford stood as if rooted 

to the ground. He considered what he 
© 

should do. He had been to the Eagle House 
and was returning home. For a moment 


106 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


he was moved to dash from him the poison 
which he carried, and make one more effort 
to be free. 

The flask was in his hand. In another mo- 
ment his good intentions would have been car- 
ried out ; but some demon tempted to delay. 

" Well, Hosford, had the Temperance doc- 
tor down to your house, haint you?” 

Mr. Hosford turned to see who thus ad- 
dressed him; and, as he did so, replaced the 
flask in his pocket. 

" He just told me he had been there,” was 
the cool reply. 

"Shouldn’t think you’d patronize him. He 
aint one of our sort of folks.” 

The speaker, Bill Magoon, was one of the 
lowest drunkards in town. To be thus fa- 
miliarly addressed by him was more than 
Mr. Hosford could bear; and he walked 
rapidly away. 

" Needn’t feel so grand ’cause he’s college- 
larnt,” said the ignorant man. " He aint no 
better’n the rest of us.” 

"No better !” He was immeasurably worse, 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


107 


shining as he clid against greater light, and 
desecrating nobler powers. 

Before he reached home his anxiety for 
his child was lost in a feeling of anger that 
Dr. Hall had been called without his advice. 
He was very glad the brandy was safe, and 
took a taste to satisfy himself that it was all 
right. 

Some thoughts of payment for this and 
other like luxuries would intrude themselves 
upon him ; but he put them aside with the 
reflection that " Sufficient unto the day is the 
evil thereof.” 

It proved more than sufficient for his 
family. He slammed the door, as he en- 
tered the house, ordering the children to 
"get away from the stove, and find some- 
thing to do.” Then in a loud voice he called 
for Harriet. 

"She is sick to-day,” was the reply of 
Susie, the second girl. 

"Where is your mother?” 

" Upstairs, with Hattie,” was the reply. 


108 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Muttering to himself, he took the flask 
from his pocket, and put it to his lips. 

At sight of this the children rose to leave 
© 

the room, but he commanded them to " sit 
down.” 

By this time Mrs. Hosford came down- 
stairs, and, seeing the terror of the children, 
said, "You can go up into Hattie’s room, 
now, if you will be very still.” 

Before their father could speak they had 
availed themselves of the privilege, and the 
door was closed behind them. 

"What is that for?” he asked angrily. 

"They can be comfortable there,” was the 
reply. 

The husband had sense enough to know 
that it was no time to assert his authority, 
and wisely kept silence. Presently, his head 
began to droop, and he staggered to the bed, 
which, under the circumstances, was the best 
thing he could do. 

Then, Mrs. Hosford went upstairs, and 
found her children as happy as they could be 
while " dear Hattie ” was sick. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


109 


The fire on the hearth threw a cheerful 
glow over the little room and its scanty fur- 
niture. Even Hattie’s face lighted up as she 
watched the dancing of the flames. 

"We’re going to stay here all day, aint 
we, mother?” said Mary. 

"I don’t want to go downstairs, again, 
never,” said Johnny, the youngest of the 
flock. 

" You’ll want some supper,” said the 
mother. 

"I don’t care for supper,” was the unhesi- 
tating reply. But when evening came, John- 
ny’s appetite returned, and he ate his bread 
and butter with a good relish. 

Few words were spoken during supper, 
and when it was over the children crept 
noiselessly upstairs. A cup of weak tea 
and some nice cracker toast were carried 
to Hattie, but she could not eat. 

Mr. Hosford slept, and no effort was made 
to rouse him. At length the children, too, 
slept ; but the mother kept her lonely vigils, 
working industriously. Past midnight ! But 


110 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


what mattered it ? She had learned by bitter 
experience that "all hours are alike to a 
drunkard’s wife.” 

Hattie moaned and tossed restlessly upon 
her bed ; then started up in wild affright. 
"I thought father was here,” she said in reply 
to her mother’s questions. " I am sure I can 
hear him now,” she added, after a few min- 
utes of silence. 

This time it was no dream, and Mrs. Hos- 
ford went down. "Why don’t you have a 
light here?” growled her husband. "No fire 
either, and I’m half-starved. About time to 
have supper, I should think.” 

" You had better look at the clock,” said 
the wife. 

"Who cares for the clock? I don’t. I 
want some supper.” 

Just then, the faithful old time-keeper 
struck two. " Two o’clock in the morning ! ” 
he exclaimed. " I don’t believe it. Any 
way, I want some supper. Give me some- 
thing better than slops,” he said, as a bowl 
of bread and milk was placed upon the table. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Ill 


" Pity if there isn’t anything better than that 
in the house.” 

"It is a pity, John Hosford ; but as you 
are the only one to blame, you have no rea- 
son to find fault.” 

At this, he ordered his wife to leave the 
house, and, as she did not obey, opened the 
door and thrust her out into the cold and 
darkness. Hattie, listening at the head of 
the stairs, heard this, and, without stopping 
to consider what might be the result to her- 
self, groped her way down. " O father,” 
she cried, " don’t leave mother out there ! 
Do let her come in. She’ll freeze.” 

An oath was the only reply to this appeal, 
as the door was again opened and the child 
thrust out with the mother. " Now take care 
of yourselves,” said the brutal man. A 
search was then made in the pantry, but 
nothing was found to satisfy his appetite, and 
he had recourse to the brandy. Without 
this his heart might have relented ; as it was, 
he went once to the door, but, seeing no one, 
turned back and was soon quiet. 


1 1 2 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


All this was known to the wife, who 
watched to see what would be the fate of the 
younger children. Hattie she had wrapped 
in a large woollen shawl, worn by herself 
during the night, and, thus protected, carried 
her to the barn. There she laid her down in 
the hay while she returned to the house. 

Satisfied that there was nothing more to 
fear from her husband at present, she tried 
the door, but it was securely fastened. Not 
able to find entrance here, she went through 
the shed. All was still, and, leaving the door 
ajar, she retraced her steps. 

" Mother,” said a feeble voice, " do stay 
with me. It is so lonely here.” 

"I am going to carry you back to the 
house now.” 

"I don’t want to go. I’m afraid of 
father.” 

" There is no reason to be afraid of him 
now ; he is on the bed.” 

" Is he fast asleep?” asked the child. 

"I think so, and we can go in without be- 
ing heard.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


113 


" Then I’ll go ; but let me walk. It will 
tire you to carry me.” 

The mother did not feel her burden, and 
the child was soon in her chamber. The fire 
on the hearth had no charms for her then, 
and she almost feared to breathe lest her 
father should hear. The hours of the ter- 
rible night wore slowly away and the day- 
light was gladly welcomed. 

"I dreamed of Mr. Hosford’s family all. 
night,” said Annie Hall to her husband that 
morning. " I am sure there is something 
wrong, and I hope you will call there early.” 

"It is not strange that you dreamed of 
them, my dear, after all that was said. 
There is always something wrong where the 
husband and father is a drunkard. I’ve no 
doubt Hosford had some kind of liquor when 
I met him yesterday. Gore will sell to him 
as long as he dresses decently, and there is 
any prospect that his bill will be paid.” 

"Do you suppose he has drank up the 
cow yet? ” asked the wife. 

"I think not,” was the reply. "The cow 


114 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


is a valuable one. Have you devised any 
plan to keep the animal in the family? ” 
"None; unless you can get some claim 
upon it yourself. If you could carry some 
groceries to Mrs. Hosford and have the cow 
made over to you as security for the pay, 
that would do very well. I’m not enough of 
a lawyer to explain it very clearly but — ” 

" I understand you perfectly. I never 
thought of that plan. I can try, but you 
must remember that I have a different man 
from Tim Allen to deal with. Suppose you 
go over with me and see what you can do.” 

Leaving all necessary orders with Jake, the 
boy who attended to calls in-doors and out, 
Mrs. Hall prepared for her ride. It was 
early to make a professional call, but no 
apologies were required. 

Hattie was decidedly worse. " She seems 
to have taken cold,” said the doctor. "Has 
she been out of the room?” 

" I am sorry to say that she has,” was Mrs. 
Hosford’s reply. 

" And I am so wy to bear it,” was the quick 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


115 


rejoinder. "I thought you knew how much 
depended upon good care.” 

"Mother does take good care of me,” said 
the child. "She couldn’t help my going 
out.” 

While the doctor was making his visit in 
the sick-room, Mrs. Hall had gathered the 
children around her in the kitchen, and was 
relating what they considered a very inter- 
esting story, when their father appeared 
from an adjoining bedroom. Instantly every 
child sprang to the stairway, leaving the vis- 
itor alone with the cause of their terror. 

He was evidently unprepared for the meet- 
ing, and, in his confusion, forgot the angry 
words he was about to utter. After a short 
conversation, in which he bore a most un- 
willing part, he went back to his room and 
endeavored to make some improvement in 
his personal appearance. 

He brushed his hair, put on a vest and 
coat, but the bloodshot eyes and haggard 
face remained the same. These marks of 
dissipation could not be effaced. 


116 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" Good-morning, Mr. Hosford,” said the 
doctor, as he came back to the kitchen. "I 
find your daughter much worse than I had 
expected, and am quite at a loss to account 
for it. Do you know of any way in which 
she could have taken cold ? ” 

" I have not seen her this morning,” was 
the evasive reply. 

"The mischief has not been done this 
morning. You certainly must have seen her 
since I was here, yesterday.” 

The suspicions of the doctor had been 
aroused by Hattie’s remark in defence of her 
mother, and they were increased by the angry 
look with which Mr. Hosford regarded his 
wife. "If I knew the trouble, I should be 
. better able to guard against its effects.” 

This was said in a quiet tone which but 
illy expressed the feelings of the speaker. 
That there had been some outburst of cruel- 
ty on the part of the husband and father, 
he was sure, but he could not "right the 
wrong.” There was nothing for him to do 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


117 


but prescribe for the sick child and take his 
leave. 

Mr. Hosford followed his wife to the door, 
and, while he was looking after his horse, the 
ladies made rapid progress in their acquaint- 
ance. Many questions were asked kindly, 
and answered frankly, and, without being 
rude or intrusive, Mrs. Hall made herself 
acquainted with the resources of the family. 

"Next time you go there, you must have 
groceries to sell,” she said to her husband, 
as they rode away. " Everything is needed, 
from a barrel of flour to a pound of sugar.” 

" What if I shouldn’t find a market ? ” asked 
the doctor. 

"Trust Mrs. Hosford to attend to that,” 
was the reply. 

The event proved that Mrs. Hosford did 
attend to it, and," in consideration of sundries 
received,” George Hall became the owner of 
another cow, " said cow to remain in posses- 
sion of John Hosford, until called for by said 
George Hall.” 


IV. 


There is danger in the wine-cup; 

Let the morning cry be heard, 
Until every pulse is quickened, 
And every heart is stirred. 


" Going to study medicine ? ” asked Esquire 
Randolph of his ward. 

"I had not thought of it, sir,” was the 
reply. 

" I couldn’t account for your being so much 
with Dr. Hall, unless you wish to learn his 
profession.” 

Clarence Vane understood what was im- 
plied by this remark of his guardian. It was 
an indirect way of saying that the intimacy 
was not pleasing to him, and probably in- 
tended to elicit a direct reply. 

"I have hardly thought of a profession, 
uncle Randolph,” said the boy. 


118 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


119 


"It is time to think of it. You are fifteen 
years old now, and I suppose nearly ready 
to enter college.” 

" I hope to enter next year.” 

"I hope you will,” said the ’squire, entirely 
forgetting the doctor, and thinking only of 
the handsome, enthusiastic boy before him. 

* Come up to the house this afternoon, and 
we will talk the matter over. Be sure Genie 
comes with you. We shall need her to com- 
plete the family circle.” 

As this was said, the two separated, Clar- 
ence going directly home to inform his sister 
that she was expected to " complete the family 
circle at Uncle Randolph’s.” 

"You know Fred is at home,” he said, 
archly. 

" I am not likely to forget it,” replied Genie, 
manifesting no slight degree of annoyance. 

" Somebody ought to be obliged to me for 
reminding you of it, and I consider that I have 
done my whole duty in that direction. I prom- 
ised to ride with the doctor this afternoon.” 

"Is he going to Mr. Hosford’s ? ” she asked. 

O O 


120 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" Yes, he is going there first, then round by- 
Mr. Allen’s and the prospect of a ride over 
the hills is much more attractive to me than 
going out to tea. But,” — 

Here the speaker was interrupted by a 
knock at the door, which announced a call 
from Mr. Frederic Randolph. This young 
gentleman had just returned from the city, 
where he had been spending the last three 
months in " reading law ” with an old friend 
of his father. 

He came with a message from his mother, 
inviting Eugenia and Clarence to pass the 
afternoon with her. Whether this was the 
only object of his visit may be learned from 
the fact that it was prolonged until quite 
noon. 

" Genie Win, why didn’t you second 
mother’s invitations, so that Fred could stop 
to dinner?” asked Clarence as soon as their 
guest had taken his leave. 

"Mother’s invitation ought to be suffi- 
cient,” was the quiet reply. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


121 


" It ought, but it was not, so the poor fel- 
low was obliged to go home ” — 

"To eat one of Auntie Randolph’s best din- 
ners,” interrupted Genie; "and we may as 
well eat ours.” 

At the table, the condition of Mr. Hos- 
ford’s family was the topic of conversatibn. 
Hattie had been sick for more than a week, 
and her mother, worn down by grief and 
excessive labor, was suffering for want of 
rest. Her husband did what he could to 
relieve her, but the children all shrunk from 
him, and Hattie refused to receive anything 
from his hands. 

The memory of the night when she had 
been brutally driven from the house seemed 
ever present with her, and in feverish de- 
lirium, she begged that her mother and her- 
self might be allowed to "come in and get 
warm.” 

Then again, she would cry, " O father, don’t 
send us out into the dark and cold ! Mother, 
dear mother, don’t leave me here alone.” 

From such incoherent words, the doctor 


122 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


divined the cause of her becoming suddenly 
worse j and his sympathy was still more deep - 
ly enlisted in her behalf. 

Thanks to his timely supply of necessaries, 
there was no lack of comfortable food for the 
family. Neighbors offered their assistance, 
but the mother could hardly be persuaded to 
leave her child even for a few hours. 

Mr. Hosford, under the influence of re- 
morse and fear, refrained from " drinking,” 
and worked industriously. Now that he had 
time to think of it, he wondered how the corn 
was ever carried into the barn, and, as he sat 
there alone, through the long evenings, com- 
pleting the work which his wife had begun, 
he despised himself for his weakness and cru- 
elty. The doctor he avoided when possible. 
The keen, inquiring glance of his eye was 
more than he could well endure. Yet this 
man, who was said to "talk temperance every- 
where,” had never mentioned the subject to 
him. 

Mrs. Yane and her children had listened to 
the doctor’s account of this family with great 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 123 

interest, ancl Clarence was particularly anx- 
ious to see Mr. Hosford. The fact that he 
had entered college when only fourteen years 
of age was sufficient to awaken his admira- 
tion. 

" He must be a fine scholar,” said the boy, 
in reply to a remark of his friend. 

" Certainly, Clarence, but under the influ- 
ence of liquor, he is as cruel and brutal as 
the vilest sot in Dan Messer’s groggery.” 

"It doesn’t seem possible,” was the reply. 
"I wish I could see him.” 

The afternoon when he was invited with 
his sister to "Uncle Kandolph’s,” he had ex- 
pected to have this wish gratified, and his 
mother, desirous that he should lose no op- 
portunity for observing the terrible effect of 
intemperance, decided that he should not be 
disappointed. 

Soon after dinner, the doctor drove up, 
and came in to say that his wife wished 
Genie to come and sit with her while he was 


away. 


124 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" She is engaged to complete the family cir- 
cle at Uncle Randolph’s,” said Clarence. 

" Make Fred forswear the wine-cup, first,” 
said her friend seriously* 

"I am only going there to tea,” replied 
Genie. "That is what Clarence means.” 

"I am glad it is no worse, but I shall not 
take back my advice. You may need it 
sometime, if not now.” 

"I’ll never speak of that again, Genie,” said 
her brother, in a low tone. " I didn’t mean 
to vex you. You are a darling sister, a 
thousand times too good for any man who 
tastes of wine.” 

The first mile of the drive had passed be- 
fore the doctor seemed inclined to talk, and 
Clarence was quite willing that he should 
remain silent. He was sorry that he had 
annoyed his sister, and, boy though he was, 
he had some anxiety in regard to her. 

"A penny for your thoughts, Clarence,” 
at length, said his companion, " You are 
looking serious. I must try to be more en- 
tertaining. There comes Mr. Allen. You 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


125 


remember him,” he added, as they were about 
to meet a large, good-natured looking man. 

"Glad to see you, doctor; you’re just the 
man I’m after. They’ve had a light down to 
Messer’s. One man has got a broken leg, and 
another has hurt his head ; so you see there’s 
business for somebody, and they both want 
the Temperance doctor. I was going to your 
house as fast as my horse would carry me.” 

This was Mr. Allen’s message, and asking 
some directions as to where the men could 
be found, Dr. Hall drove on rapidly. "I can 
make but a short call here,” he said, when 
they reached the Ruggles Farm. 

Mr. Hosford was at work near the house, 
and, as the doctor stepped from the buggy, 
he introduced his young friend, and when he 
returned to them after having visited his 
patient, he found them engaged in conversa- 
tion. 

"Hattie is somewhat better to-day,” he 
said, in answer to a question from the father ; 
but your wife is miserable. She must have 
rest, or we shall have two sick ones.” 


126 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" Well, Clarence, I suppose jour' curiosity 
is gratified,” he remarked, as he drove rapid- 
ly away. 

"Yes, sir, I was very glad to see Mr. 
Hosford ; but how can such a man ever be so 
bad as you say he has been?” 

" No wonder that you ask ; yet I have not 
told you the worst of him. That man has 
laid drunk for weeks, and then kept sober 
for a few days, only because he was so poor 
he couldn’t buy rum, and so mean he couldn’t 
get trusted for it. He has more than once 
threatened to kill his wife, and he has abused 
his children until they are afraid to go near 
him. For all this, there is not a man in town 
possessing finer talents, or a more finished 
education.” 

The eyes of Clarence dilated with wonder 
at this recital, but he said nothing, and the 
doctor proceeded wfith the story he had com- 
menced. " Mrs. Hosford was the only child 
of wealthy parents, and while she lived with 
them had no wish ungratified. When they 
died she had a handsome fortune, but her 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


127 


husband squandered it, and she has suffered 
for the want of food.” 

"Was Mr. Hosford a drunkard when they 
were married? ” asked Clarence. 

" He w*as a wine-drinker ; no worse, proba- 
bly, than most. of our young men, and he is 
no worse now than many of them will be in 
fifteen years, unless they reform.” 

" Genie shall never marry a wine-drinker, ” 
exclaimed the boy in an excited tone. 

"That would be a sad fate, and yon must 
take care that her brother is not a wine-drink- 
er,” was the reply. 

"I will, I will,” he said, earnestly. "I shall 
never forget what you have told me this 
afternoon. But it is dreadful to think what 
a wretch I might be. Oh, help me, always ! ” 

" Yes, Clarence, I will help you ; but you 
need other aid than mine.” 

"I know, and I pray for it every day,” he 
replied, reverently. 

As they passed the establishment of Dan 
Messer, the doctor stopped to speak to the 
proprietor, who was evidently watching for 


128 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


him. . " You are engaged in a bad business,” 
lie said, " and the sooner you give it up, the 
better.” 

"I’m ready to give up when Gore does. 
I’m no worse than he is. Preach to him, first,” 
was the reply. 

"I have preached to him, and it is your 
turn, now.” 

"Then, go ahead; I won’t complain if that 
is the case. I sell liquor to make money, the 
same as Gore does ; but I never take a sober 
man and make a drunkard of him. You got 
away one of my best customers, but I don’t 
blame you for it. So just preach away.” 

There was need and opportunity, but the 
doctor concluded to postpone the sermon 
until he had attended to the injured men. He 
found them surrounded by several of their 
boon companions, in a miserable house, about 
half a mile from the groggery. Suffering 
had somewhat sobered them, and they were 
glad to see him. 

" You seem to have had a rough-and-tumble 
fight,” he said to the man with a broken lesr. 


the Temperance doctor. 129 

"We got into a squabble, but I wan’t to 
blame,” was the reply. 

"No matter who was to blame. I suppose, 
now, you wish me to set your leg.” 

" Of course, I do, else I shouldn’t sent for 
you.” 

"And I will do it, upon just one condition.” 

"What is that?” asked the astonished 
listener. 

"That you hold up your right hand, and 
solemnly promise not to drink a drop of 
liquor until you are able to walk.” 

This was refused with an oath, and the 
doctor turned his attention to the bruised 
head. The owner of this was willing to make 
any terms in order to be relieved, and his 
wounds were soon skilfully dressed. 

The bystanders watched almost breathlessly 
to see what would next be done, but Dr. 
Hall seemed to consider that there was no 
further call for his services, and was putting 
on his overcoat, when the neglected man cried 
out, "For God’s sake, doctor, don’t leave me 
so.” 

9 


130 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" You know the condition upon which I will 
attend to your case.” 

"You’ve no right to make such a condition.” 

"Yes, I have,” was the unyielding reply, 
"and I have, also, the right to leave you.” 
Suiting the action to the word, he opened 
the door, and was followed by Clarence, who 
had been an interested spectator of the scene. 
But the door had hardly closed when he was 
recalled, and the required promise made with- 
out a murmur. 

The fracture was then reduced and the 
patient cared for with all kindness. 

Upon learning that the man who had first 
received attention lived at some distance, 
Clarence was despatched with the horse and 
buggy to take him home, and when he re- 
turned, the doctor was ready to ride. 

"You have seen some unpleasant things 
this afternoon,” he said to his companion 
when they were once more on their way. 

"And I hope they will do me good,” was 
the reply. " How terrible it is to be a drunk- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


131 


ard!” he exclaimed, after a short silence. 
"I think it is worse than anything else.” 

"Worse, because it brings all other evils 
with it,” replied Dr. Hall, as he drove up to 
the house of Robert Halsey, where the cor- 
dial greeting showed that he was no unwel- 
come visitant. 

" I have come to ask a favor of you,” he 
said to Mr. Halsey. 

" I shall be happy to grant it,” was the re- 
ply. " Only tell me what it is.” 

" Some help is needed at Mr. Hosford’s.” 

It was necessary to say nothing more. 

Her sympathy was enlisted at once. She 
volunteered to go over and remain through 
the night and the next day. 

" The children are shy,” said the doctor, 
"and Hattie, the sick one, calls constantly for 
her mother.” 

" I guess I can manage them all, without 
any trouble,” replied the generous-hearted 
woman, with a smile. "Mrs. Hosford has 
worked like a slave. I know something 
about how things have been going on there. 


132 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


The neighbors call her proud, and I suppose 
she is ; but she was brought up differently 
from the rest of us.” 

"Duly done in that direction. Now for 
home, Clarence,” said his companion. 

"Does Mrs. Hosford know that you are 
going to send her help ? ” asked the boy. 

"She knows nothing about it,” was the 
reply. 

"Then, Mrs. Halsey may not be welcome.” 

" Trust her for that,” said the doctor, 
heartily. "She can make herself welcome, 
anywhere, and if one poor woman doesn’t get 
some rest during the next twenty-four hours, 
I shall be disappointed.” 

A rapid drive brought them back to the 
village, and Clarence hastened to his guar- 
dian’s. His apology was accepted graciously, 
although the ’squire had some suggestions to 
offer in regard to the study of medicine. 

" You are in time for tea, and mother has 
an extra supply of your favorite cakes,” said 
Fred Randolph, who was in the best of 
humors. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


133 


"I hope the tea will cure Genie’s head- 
ache,” rejoined the hostess. " I have hardly 
heard her laugh, this afternoon.” 

"I am growing older, auntie, and it is time 
I should improve my manners. Less of 
laughing and more of dignity might be 
desirable.” 

"Don’t talk of dignity, here, Genie Win,” 
said her guardian ; "and as for your manners, 
they need no improvement.” 

The young lady was glad to have this con- 
versation interrupted by the summons to tea. 
Two cups of the cheering beverage, prescribed 
by her friends, seemed to have a reanimat- 
ing influence upon her spirits, and the even- 
ing gave promise of passing pleasantly. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kandolph looked with great com- 
placency upon the young people, and Clar- 
ence was more than once reminded of the 
resolve he so earnestly expressed during his 
ride. 

According to the usual custom, apples, 
nuts, and cider were offered to the guests ; 
but of the latter, neither tasted. "First, it 


134 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


was wine, and now it is cider,” said the 
’squire, noticing their untouched glasses. 
" You are getting unreasonable ; who ever 
heard of cider injuring any one?” 

."But I don’t wish for it,” said Genie, " and 
I certainly shall not be injured by letting it 
alone.” 

"Well, I suppose your not caring for it is 
no reason why Clarence shouldn’t drink it.” 

"He can do as he pleases,” replied the 
sister. 

"And he pleases not to drink it,” said the 
boy. 

"I suppose this is some of your doctor’s 
work,” exclaimed the gentleman in a tone of 
vexation. 

"He never said one word to me about 
drinking cider,” replied Clarence, eager to 
exonerate his friend. "My own judgment 
tells me I ought not to drink it.” 

Fred Randolph took no part in this dis- 
cussion, but he watched Genie’s face closely, 
and his own clouded as he saw the delight 
with which she listened to her brother’s decis- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


135 


ion. To the relief of all, he, at this point, 
adroitly turned the conversation, and en- 
grossed his father’s attention, until the offend- 
ing subject was, for the time, forgotten. 

"After all, Clarence, we haven’t talked 
about your profession,” was said, just as he 
was about to leave with his sister. " There 
is plenty of time, now, and I presume Fred 
will be delighted to walk home with Genie.” 

Of course he would, and by this pretty 
piece . of management the affair was settled 
greatly to the satisfaction of the majority of 
the party. But certain it is that Clarence 
was a poor listener to his guardian’s some- 
what tedious counsel, and his lonely walk was 
far from being a pleasant one. He was more 
vexed than he cared to acknowledge even to 
himself ; and when he found his sister stand- 
ing in the moonlight with Fred Randolph, 
waiting for him, as she said, he replied to 
her almost rudely. 

The moonlight had no attractions for him ; 
he preferred the comfort of the house, and, 


136 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


when his sister came in, he had quite a lecture 
prepared for her benefit. 

"O Clarence, you have made me very 
happy this evening,” she said, seating herself 
beside him. 

"And I have been made very miserable,” 
he might have replied with truth ; but her 
beaming face banished all such thoughts. 
"I intend never to drink cider again,” he 
said, well knowing the cause of her happi- 
ness. 

"I hope you never will, Clarence. You 
and I had better count it with wine, and give 
it up altogether.” 

"We shall have plenty of ridicule for it,” 
replied the brother, " and it does seem almost 
foolish to refuse it.” 

" Better err on the safe side, Clarence. 
We can’t afford to run any risk in the mat- 
ter.” 

"Who can afford it, Genie? Fred Ran- 
dolph?” 

"I shouldn’t think he could,” was the re- 
ply. "But tell me, now, about your ride.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


137 


This furnished an interesting topic of con- 
versation until the clock warned them that it 
was time for sleep, and Genie clapped her 
hands with delight, while listening to an ac- 
count of the doctor’s treatment. All the 
events of the afternoon and evening helped to 
strengthen Clarence Yane in his resolutions 
of abstinence, but there was yet more to 
learn. 

The following week, a party was given by 
Mr. Gore’s oldest son, to which Eugenia and 
Clarence were most urgently invited, and 
their non-acceptance of the invitation was a 
source of much mortification to the family. 

Jotham Gore, who was a classmate of Clar- 
ence, and about two years his senior, was not 
only mortified, but angry. He had counted 
upon their presence, and acknowledged no 
reason why he should be thus slighted. 

"I can tell you why Eugenia and Clarence 
Yane stayed away from your party,” said one 
of the boys, famous for his blunt manner of 
speaking. 

"Why?” he asked, fiercely. 


138 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


"Because your father sells liquor.” 

"It is no worse to sell it than to drink it,” 
was the quick retort ; " their father was once a 
drunkard.” 

Terrible words were these to fall upon the 
ear of a boy who cherished the memory of his 
father with an almost idolatrous worship. 

When Jotham Gore turned from uttering 
them, he met the stony gaze and livid face 
of his classmate. " Have you told the truth 
about my father?” he asked. 

"Of course I have. Everybody knows 
it,” was the unfeeling reply, but a moment 
later, he remembered how bravely this same 
boy had risked his life a few months before, 
and regretted that he had given him pain. 

Well might he regret it, for keener anguish 
could hardly have been inflicted. In vain, 
after that, were all the boy’s attempts to 
study. The words lay before him as unmean- 
ing characters, and the voices of his com- 
panions sounded like far-off echoes. 

How glad he w r as when school hours were 
over ! Yet never seemed the walk home so 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


139 


long. "Mother, mother, was my father ever 
a drunkard?” he cried, rushing into the house 
with breathless haste. 

It required time for Mrs. Yane to recover 
from the shock of such a question, before re- 
plying, and Genie anticipated her. "Father 
was a wine-drinker, at one time,” she said, 
in as firm a tone as she could command. 

" But was he a drunkard ? ” again asked the 
boy. 

By this time, the mother had regained her 
composure, and decided that it was best he 
should know the whole truth. It was a pain- 
ful revelation, but Clarence breathed more 
freely at its close. It was better than he had 
feared. 

" I am glad I know it all,” he said to his 
mother. "I am certain I shall now have 
strength to resist temptation.” 

It was a severe lesson, but he accepted it 
manfully. He now f fully understood his posi- 
tion, and, instead of feeling resentment on 
account of the cruel speech made by Jotham 
Gore, he was truly grateful for it. 


140 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


At this time Fred Randolph was a constant 
visitor at Mrs. Vane’s. His vacation from 
study was to be short, and he seemed dis- 
posed to make the most of it. He came and 
went with little ceremony, but the families 
had always been on the closest terms of inti- 
macy, and it excited no particular remark. 

Mrs. Vane treated him cordially, Genie, 
with her usual frankness, but Clarence was 
troubled by his visits. He wished the young 
gentleman would find attractions elsewhere. 

"Why, Genie, don’t you know Fred Ran- 
dolph is a wine-drinker?” he one day asked 
his sister. 

"I am perfectly aware of it,” was the 
reply. 

" Do you suppose he’ll ever give it up ? ” 

"I have no means of judging, Clarence; 
but I certainly hope so, for the sake of his 
friends and himself.” 

" I hope he will,” said the brother ; " but I 
think Selwyn Barnes is a great deal better 
than he is. Why don’t you like him, 
Genie?” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


141 


"I do like him,” she replied, smiling at the 
earnestness of her young brother. 

There had been a time when Clarence con- 
sidered his guardian’s son as quite superior to 
an}' one of his acquaintance ; but that time had 
passed. Selwyn Barnes, who had so nobly 
stood his friend in the hour of disgrace, and 
who was distinguishing himself as a scholar, 
had quite usurped his place. 

In justice to- Fred Randolph, it should be 
said that he was handsome, talented, and en- 
dowed with fine social qualities, the idol of 
his parents, and a general favorite among his 
acquaintances. His brothers were men of 
ability in the different positions they had 
chosen, inheriting their father’s shrewdness 
and tact for business. One of them had re- 
ceived a liberal education, with the expecta- 
tion that he would become a lawyer ; but he 
had preferred a more active life. 

The ’squire now looked to Fred as a suc- 
cessor in his profession, and no expense was 
spared in the necessary training. Thus far, 
he had fully realized the fondest hopes of his 


142 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


parents, and they counted upon his future 
success as certain. There had been rumors 
of some excess when he was in college, but 
it was attributed to the naturally high spirits 
of youth, and caused no anxiety. 

He was a welcome guest throughout the 
village, and more than one young girl envied 
Eugenia Vane her elegant admirer. His pref- 
erence for her had always been openly mani- 
fested, and no one thought it possible that she 
could be insensible to his devotion. 

Until within two years she had thought 
little in regard to it. Nearly as much at home 
in her guardian’s family as with her mother, 
she had accepted all manifestations of affec- 
tion as a matter of course. Fred, being 
younger than his brothers, had been her more 
constant companion when a child ; but, aside 
from this, she had no especial preference for 
him. 

Now, she was sometimes flattered by his 
attentions, receiving them with manifest 
pleasure, and, again, she felt them to be al- 
most burdensome. During his three months’ 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


143 


absence her interest had been so entirely en- 
grossed with her brother, that she heard Mrs. 
Randolph’s communications in regard to him 
with something like indifference. 

But she could not he indifferent to his pres- 
ence. They had too mauy tastes in common 
for this to be possible. He was agreeable in 
manners, fascinating in conversation, and — 
most potent reason of all — he loved her. 

Most people considered the match as 
already certain, and pronounced it, " very 
suitable.” The young men looked upon Eu- 
genia Vane as " appropriated,” and the ’squire 
made no secret of his hope to call her "daugh- 
ter.” 

The clergyman of the village even congrat- 
ulated Mrs. Vane upon the brilliant prospects 
of her daughter, and was surprised to learn 
that his congratulations were premature. 

Dr. and Mrs. Hall noted the progress of 
events with watchful eyes. "I am sure 
Genie’s judgment will decide against Fred 
Randolph,” he said, " but I cannot answer for 
her heart.” 


144 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


"And if she marries him ? ” said the wife. 

" She runs the risk of being a drunkard’s 
wife with the odds fearfully against her. The 
old ’squire has been a moderate drinker all 
his life, and says he is the better for it, but 
Fred will never follow his example. He is 
quite temperate here, but when away he in- 
dulges more freely. 

"Oh, can nothing be done to save our 
Genie?” exclaimed Mrs. Hall, as her husband 
sketched this dark picture. "I can’t endure 
the thought of having her thus sacrificed. Clar- 
ence, too, I shall lose all hope of him.” 

" Clarence is my greatest dependence in 
the affair,” said the doctor. "He is old for 
his years, and the knowledge of his own 
unfortunate tendency has made him a close 
observer of others. If he was permitted to 
decide the question, his sister never would 
be the wife of a wine-drinker.” 

Eugenia was conscious of her friends’ 
anxiety, but her lips were closed. She knew 
their opinion as well as though it had been 
directly expressed, but they were ignorant of 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


145 


hers. Clarence, too, was completely in the 
dark in regard to the matter, but he was at 
no trouble to conceal his own sentiments. 

"I am glad, for once, not to find Fred 
Randolph here,” he said, as he came in from 
school, one day; "it is pleasant to have only 
mother and Genie.” 

Mrs. Vane looked up with surprise. "I 
thought you liked Fred Randolph,” she said. 

" So I do, or I should, if he didn’t come 
here so much,” was the reply. "Everybody 
says he is going to marry Genie, and — ” 

"You had better stop and take breath, 
now,” said the sister. 

" Oh, dear ! That’s the way you always put 
me off ! ” he exclaimed, impatiently. 

" Clarence,” said his mother, in a tone of 
reproof that brought a blush to his face ; and 
thus the conversation was closed. 

" I wish we could go down to the doctor’s 
and spend the evening,” he afterwards said 
at the tea-table. " We never go there, now.” 

" There is nothing to prevent our going,” 
10 


146 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


replied Genie ; " and I shall be very glad to 
go.” 

Clarence was in great haste ; consequently, 
they left home early. The doctor was at 
leisure and welcomed them cordially. "I 
have just come from the Ruggles Farm,” he 
said in reply to a question asked by Genie. 
"Hattie is better, and everything seems quite 
comfortable. Mrs. Halsey was there two 
days, giving the poor mother an opportunity 
to rest, and that was a great help.” 

"What of Mr. Hosford?” asked Clarence. 

" He keeps sober, and is at work for Mr. 
Moulton. I saw him yesterday, and he told 
me he was engaged there for a month. 

* " Have you ever seen Mrs. Hosford ? ” asked 
the doctor, turning to Genie. 

" Only once,” was the reply, " and she 
looked like a broken-hearted woman.” 

"Well she may. She has had trouble 
enough to break any woman’s heart. I only 
wonder she is alive. She little dreamed 
what was before her when she married John 
Hosford.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


147 


This remark gave Mrs. Hall an oppor- 
tunity to express her astonishment that " an} r 
woman would trust her happiness in the 
hands of a wine-drinker, no matter who he 
is.” 

Later in the evening, Selywn Barnes came 
in. He had arrived at home that day, and 
making his first call at Mrs. Vane’s, followed 
Eugenia and Clarence to the house of their 
mutual friend. He was a welcome guest, be- 
ing one of the very few young men in whose 
" principles ” the doctor had confidence. 

Clarence was delighted to see him, and 
Eugenia found herself, involuntarily, con- 
trasting him with Fred Bandolph. Selywn 
Barnes was not considered handsome, but he 
had a good, strong face, with an expression 
at times so pure and tender as to make it 
beautiful. It was this expression that ar- 
rested the attention of Eugenia Vane, and un- 
der the power of its fascination her own face 
grew more radiant and sparkling. 

Her brother was quite satisfied with the at- 
tention she bestowed upon his favorite, and 


148 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

immediately commenced building one of those 
airy castles, which, lacking no grace of orna- 
ment, are so often without foundation. 

Mrs. Hall, too, must have engaged in the 
same occupation, for no sooner was she left 
alone with her husband than she exclaimed, 
" What a nice match that would be ! ” 

" Who are the parties to your nice match ? ” 
asked the doctor. 

" You know who I mean,” replied his wife, 
laughing ; " Selywn and Genie. I do hope 
she will see how much better he is than Fred 
Randolph.” 

" There’s no accounting for woman’s vision 
in such matters,” was the somewhat unsatis- 
factory reply ; but the doctor had his hopes 
and his castle notwithstanding. 

The merry trio, in their walk home, were 
too much engrossed with the present to 
think much of the future. Clarence, taking 
it upon himself to do the honors of the occa- 
sion, invited their companion to ff come in and 
talk awhile ; it is only nine o’clock,” he said, 
" and I have a host of questions to ask you.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


149 


This invitation, being seconded, was ac- 
cepted, and an animated conversation fol- 
lowed, in which the duties and pleasures of 
college life were thoroughly discussed. 

"Just the pleasantest evening we have had 
for a month,” said Clarence Yane to his 
mother, as he bade her good-night. 

Very different was the decision of Fred 
Randolph in regard to the evening. He, 
too, had called at Mrs. Vane’s, and from 
there went to the Eagle House. On his way 
home, he met Solomon Barnes, and the sight 
of him added to his previous vexation. He 
came to breakfast the next morning, in no 
amiable mood, and received but with very 
sorry grace the jokes of his father. " Better 
settle matters definitely before you go back,” 
said the old ’squire. 

His son only wished " matters ” were set- 
tled ; but, unfortunately, they were not. He 
had petted and caressed Genie Yane when 
she was a child, and he had loved her in all 
the years that followed. The boyish declar- 
ations of this love had been received, some- 


150 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


times with sisterly frankness, sometimes with 
merry laughter ; but he had never doubted 
that she would one day place her hand in his, 
happy to walk through life by his side. 

"Never! ’’did I say? I should have said 
never until within the last few months. 
Various circumstances had revealed to him 
her increasing sympathy with the "teetotal 
principles ” of her friend, Dr. Hall. More- 
over, he was jealous of the influence of this 
same friend, and dissatisfied with the inti- 
macy between Genie and Mrs. Hall, although 
he himself could never refrain from making 
his very best bow to this charming woman. 

Upon no condition would he have extended 
his walk to their house the evening before ; 
certainly, not after he heard from Mrs. Vane 
that Selwyn Barnes had gone there. 

Altogether, he had passed a most uncom- 
fortable night, and the words of his father 
seemed ill-timed and out of place. 

As for Genie, there was quite a tumult in 
her heart. She knew what was expected of 
her as well as though her guardian had told 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


151 


her, in so many words, that she was to marry 
his youngest son. Yet Fred had not asked her 
to be his wife since when, five years before, 
he had, in what she called " a fit of senti- 
mentality,” implored her to share his future 
home, and received for answer the warbling 
of an old love ditty. 

But our heroine was no coquette. She 
was only an affectionate, true-hearted girl, 
with enough of humor and spirit to make her 
both attractive and positive. Bound as she 
was by circumstances, there seemed little op- 
portunity for choice in regard to her life. 
But she had a will of her own, as had been 
proved on more than one occasion. 

In this state of affairs, Mr. Frederic Ran- 
dolph received a despatch, recalling him to 
the city some days sooner than he had ex- 
pected. The last evening he proposed to 
spend with Eugenia Yane, but untoward cir- 
cumstances prevented. He saw her only a 
few minutes, and then in the presence of 
others. This was tantalizing ; all the more 
so, since he knew that she might have had it 


152 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


otherwise, and he went back to his studies 
vexed and mortified. 

Clarence openly rejoiced at his departure, 
and Genie, — well, she thought she was glad, 
but she missed him more than she cared to 
believe. 


Y. 


Dealing out ruin and counting the gains; 

Vending destruction, unheeding the pains; 

Beggaring woman, and scorning her tears, 

Reckless of danger and smiling at fears; 

“ Mine host,” or “ the landlord,” whichever you call, 
He is only a rumseller, after all. 


" Good-morning, Mr. Hosford. Glad to see 
you this morning,” said the smiling landlord 
of the Eagle House. " Allow me to wish you 
a Happy New Year. Take a seat by the 
stove. I began to fear you had forsaken us 
entirely.” 

These civil speeches were properly ac- 
knowledged, but Mr. Hosford manifested no 
intention of occupying the proffered seat. "I 
have come to settle my bill,” he said, so soon 
as he found opportunity. 

"No hurry about that,” was the reply. " It 

153 


154 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


is too small to be of much consequence. But 
take a seat and I will look it up.” 

The debtor had come in with a firm deter- 
mination to settle his bill, and leave immedi- 
ately ; but he was intentionally detained, and 
when the "account was squared,” he was 
comfortably seated by the stove, enjoying 
the warmth, so grateful after exposure in a 
severe winter morning. 

Mr. Gore had a shrewd suspicion of the 
state of affairs, and resolved that this man 
should not go out of his house until it was 
made sure that he would come again. He 
was aided in his purpose by the entrance of 
Esquire Randolph, who greeted the gentle- 
man cordially, and sat down. " Let us drink 
to our success for the New Year,” said the 
landlord, presenting to each of his guests a 
glass of sparkling wine. 

His own was at hand, and the three glasses 
were drained. A glance at the clock remind- 
ed Mr. Hosford that the time had passed when 
he was to meet Dr. Hall, who had kindly of- 
fered him a "ride home.” His first thought 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


155 


was to remain where he was, but the second 
prompted to a wiser course. 

Mr. Gore made no objection to his leaving. 
His object was accomplished. 

Dr. Hall was waiting, impatient and anx- 
ious. It was soon manifest to his quick 
senses that the morning’s call had resulted 
disastrously. His companion made an effort 
to conceal this, but it was only too apparent. 

Had he been such a man as Tim Allen, 
the doctor would not have hesitated to ad- 
dress him directly upon the subject of tem- 
perance. Being entirely different, he was 
obliged to make use of strategy. " Shall you 
work for Mr. Moulton through the winter ? ” 
he asked, after riding a short distance. 

"I have engaged to do so,” was the reply. 

"A man of your education ought to be 
engaged in some different employment,” said 
the doctor. 

” Some other might be more pleasant,” re- 
plied his companion ; " but when a man has 
been unfortunate, he cannot always choose 
his business.” 


156 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


"True, but with the best use of your talents 
and acquirements you could easily regain all 
you have lost.” 

An angry flush burned upon the cheek of the 
listener. " You must pardon my plain speak- 
ing,” continued the doctor. "My interest in 
your family compels me to it . Y ou have a noble 
woman for a wife ; but she cannot live long 
under the pressure of poverty and grief you 
have brought upon her. You have not only 
been unfortunate, you have been fearfully 
guilty.” 

Mr. Hosford made a motion as though he 
would leave the sleigh, but a strong hand de- 
tained him, and a voice, full of sympathy, 
said, "I am your friend, and would do you 
good. You know as well as I that the habit 
of drinking has been the cause of all your 
trouble.” 

"You are right, doctor, and I despise my- 
self for it. Over and over again have I re- 
solved to break the chains of this dreadful 
habit. This morning — ” 

" I know,” interrupted his companion. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


157 


"You know that I have been drinking* 

© 

wine, but you do not know the circum- 
stances.” 

These were related, every word increasing 
the indignation of the doctor. "Gore feels 
sure of you now,” he said. 

"Yes, and I am sure of nothing but mis- 
ery,” was the hopeless answer. 

" Are you going to give up now ? ” asked 
the doctor, with surprise. 

" I can’t tell ; I only know, if I should yield 
to the demands of my appetite, I should go 
back to the Eagle House and drink myself 
into unconsciousness.” 

Sad confession, made with startling earnest- 
ness ! 

You may say that the man was a fool. 
So are all who, by their own acts, become 
the slaves of appetite. Say that his charac- 
ter was inconsistent and unnatural. It may 
be ; but it was such a character as he had 
made for himself, and such as thousands of 
others, throughout the length and breadth of 
our land, are now making for themselves. 


158 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" You think me a wretch,” he added, after 
a pause, "and so I am. You know some- 
thing of my wife as she is now, but you are 
ignorant of what she once was, — the dearest, 
happiest girl in the world. I loved her, and 
thought myself blessed above all others when 
I knew that my love was returned. Yet I 
have made her life wretched. Would God I 
had never seen her ! ” 

What could be said in reply ? The doctor 
felt that words of his were useless, and 
with a prayer to Heaven in behalf of the un- 
fortunate man, he left him at his home. 

No friendly calls that morning. Even 
those imposed by the duties of his profession 
seemed irksome, and were hurried through 
as rapidly as possible. When he passed the 
Ruggles Farm on his return, a rap upon the 
window called his attention. Directly Mrs. 
Hosford came to the door, and asked if he 
would allow her to ride with him. 

" I shall be very glad to have your com- 
pany,” was the reply. 

A few questions were asked and answered, 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


159 


during the ride, but neither seemed in social 
mood. When they reached the village, Mrs. 
Hosford desired to be left at the Eagle House. 
"I must see Mr. Gore,” she said, replying to 
the look of astonishment with which her re- 
quest was heard. 

The reason for this was easily divined, and 
the doctor offered to be her escort. He took 
her to the public sitting-room, which, fortu- 
nately, contained no visitors, called the land- 
lord, and left her, while he waited in the 
hall. 

Mrs. Hosford made known her errand, ask- 
ing, as a special favor, that he would sell no 
more liquor of any kind to her husband. 
Had she come alone, it is possible she might 
have been heard with' favor; but Mr. Gore, 
considering the whole affair as a contrived 
plan on the part of the doctor, refused to 
bind himself by any promise. 

She was bitterly disappointed. She had 
been sure that her request would be granted, 
could she humble herself to make it. But 
she had reckoned without her host, who, by 


160 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


whatever name he might be called, was only 
a rumseller, after all. 

When she realized the result of her mis- 
sion, it seemed impossible for her to leave 
the room. She staggered in weakness. 
Then, by a great effort recovering herself, 
she walked to the door, turned around, and, 
looking sadly in the face of the man who had 
thus crushed her hopes, said, deliberately, 
"The curse of God will rest upon you for 
this day’s work. You have three sons, — you 
will live to see them stagger through these 
streets, miserable drunkards, all ! ” 

He stood mute with horror. Could this 
be true ? His sons miserable drunkards ! 
Jotham, Ellis, and little Carl ! 

In imagination they reeled before him. 
But it was only a woman who had said it, — a 
miserable, half-crazed woman, — and, after she 
had left, he returned to the bar-room, and, 
with his blandest smile, served liquor to his 
customers. 

Dr. Hall, asking no questions, drove home. 
Mrs. Hosford, bewildered by the scene 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 161 

through which she had passed, scarcely no- 
ticed the direction they were going. " I can 
walk now,” she said, when they stopped. 

"You are coming in to rest awhile,” re- 
plied her friend, " and then I will carry you 
home.” 

"I can’t stop. My children are alone, and 
I must hasten back,” said the poor woman, 
hurriedly. 

Mrs. Hall overruled this, and she was per- 
suaded to enter the house. When the two 
ladies were left alone for a few minutes, the 
reserve of Mrs. Hosford gave way, and, with 
a burst of emotion, she described her call at 
the Eagle House. "I have no hope left 
now,” she exclaimed. "Were it not for my 
children, I should wish to die.” 

" How gladly would I help you ! ” said Mrs. 
Hall. 

"No one can help me,” was the reply; 
"but I thank you for your sympathy.” 

The expression of utter hopelessness that 
rested upon her face, as she said this, would 
have moved the most callous heart. Yet her 


11 


162 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

life was not her own, that she should lay it 
down because the burden weighed heavily . 

"I must not stay here,” she said, rising 
from the comfortable chair in which she had 
been seated. "My children need me.” 

"But you are not rested,” urged her kind 
hostess. 

"I cannot rest,” was the reply. "Oh, 
thank God, every day of your life, that you 
are not a drunkard’s wife ! ” 

Eugenia Vane came in as Mrs. Hosford 
was leaving. There was a striking contrast 
between the two ; but twelve years before, 
the drunkard’s wife was radiant and blooming 
as the young girl who now stood before her. 

" Oh, what a life ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Hall, 
as her husband drove away with her guest. 

" I thought Mr. Hosford was doing well,” 
said Genie in reply. 

For answer, the story of the morning was 
repeated. " And do you believe Mr. Gore 
will sell liquor to him now ? ” 

"Believe ! ” said Annie Hall, with empha- 
sis ; " I can believe anything of a rumseller.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


163 


When the doctor returned, he found his 
wife and Genie still talking of Mrs. Hosford. 
" Let me tell you what has happened to day,” 
he said, folding his arms behind him, while 
his whole manner betokened intense excite- 
ment. 

" It is enough to make a man’s blood boil in 
his veins, to think that such things are done 
in our midst,” he exclaimed, when he had 
finished his account of Mr. Hosford’s call. 
" Gore is infinitely more to blame than his 
victim, and Esquire Randolph is worse than 
either. He is doing more to extend intem- 
perance in this village than any one else, 
and he will receive his just reward. I 
know I am talking of your guardian, Genie,” 
he added, " but I am telling only the truth. 
I once feared his influence over Clarence, and 
that of Fred still more.” 

A bright flush crimsoned the cheek of the 
listener, but she made no reply. She, too, 
had feared the same influence. 

"Something must be done,” said Mrs. 
Hall. 


164 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


"What?” asked her husband, quickly. 
" Only tell me, and I will set about it at once. 
There is need enough that something be done. 
Hardly a young man in town can be consid- 
ered temperate. Selwyn Barnes is an hon- 
orable exception. He told me, yesterday, 
that it is more than two years since he be- 
came a teetotaller. He is a noble fellow, 
worthy of all good fortune.” 

Instantly Genie’s thoughts reverted to the 
time when he had brought her tidings of her 
brother, and her heart gave full assent to the 
praise bestowed upon him. 

She went home to think of what she had 
heard, and read again a letter she had re- 
ceived that morning. "Darling Genie,” — 
thus the letter commenced which lay before 
her, and at its close was the name of " Fred 
Randolph.” 

Most earnestly did she wish that those 
words had never been written, that the avow- 
al of affection had never been made. 

But this availed her nothing; She must 
reply, and upon this reply rested the happi- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


165 


ness of her life. She would neither give 
confidence, nor ask advice in the matter. It 
rested alone with herself. No one could 
place the case any more clearly before her. 

Her principles and those of Fred Randolph 
were directly at war. She knew this well, 
and never thought of asking him to give up 
the habits he had learned at home, and in 
which he was encouraged by his father’s ex- 
ample. Some would have done this, but it 
was not like Eugenia Yane. 

She recalled the wretched looks of the 
woman she had seen that day, and who, 
scarcely ten years older than herself, seemed 
already broken with age. She had married, 
loving and beloved. Was there not a warn- 
ing in her history ? 

On the other hand were all the associations 
of her life. Never had she received aught 
but kindness from the family of her guar- 
dian. Should she now thwart their cherished 
plans ? 

She tried to reason the matter calmly. 
She had a sincere regard for Fred Randolph ; 


166 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


but she was not certain that she loved him as 
a woman should love the man she would call 
"husband.” Trust in his honor ! Confidence 
in his unswerving integrity ! Had she these ? 

She folded the letter and laid it aside. 

In the evening, Selwyn Barnes came in, 
looking his best. Cordial New Year’s greet- 
ings were exchanged, and fast flowed laugh- 
ter and song, until the young gentleman felt 
compelled to apologize for having remained 
so late. 

Clarence, as usual, was loud in his praises 
the next morning. " I am so glad I can be 
with him the first two years I am in college,” 
he said. "You needn’t have any fears for 
me then, mother. He is all right in every- 
thing.” 

But we must return to our doctor. When 
he went out to visit his patients on the second 
morning of the New Year, he encountered 
Dan Messer. After exchanging salutations, 
he exclaimed, "I’ve been waiting for that 
sermon a good while. You know I told you 
to preach as much as you pleased.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


167 


" What good would it do ? ” asked the 
doctor, seriously. " I wish I could preach so 
effectually as to make the men of this town 
aware of their danger.” 

"Why don’t you try it ?” asked the rum- • 
seller. "Appoint a meeting somewhere, and 
have the matter talked up.” 

The doctor looked closely at the face of 
the man, to see in what spirit this was 
spoken. "I am in earnest,” he said, in reply 
to the scrutiny. " I’ll go, for one, and I’ll 
invite my customers. I believe everybody 
has a right to do as he’s a mind to, and I 
shan’t think no different ; but I should like to 
hear what you’ve got to say.” 

" Where can we have a meeting ? ” 

"In the school-house, I guess. Robert 
Halsey has the care of it ; so there won’t be 
no trouble about that. If there is, just tell 
Betsey, and she’ll see to it.” 

This was a new idea, which the doctor 
pondered, as he rode along. There had 
never been a temperance meeting in town. 


168 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


He decided to ask the opinion of some of kis 
friends in regard to its probable success. 

The first person he met was Tim Allen. 

"It will be a grand idea,” he said, in reply 
to the question. " There is only one trouble 
about it.” 

"What is that ? ” 

" It may affect your practice.” 

"I’ll risk that,” said the doctor. "My 
trouble is in quite a different direction. I 
am not used to speaking in public, and am 
afraid I can’t do justice to the subject.” 

"No danger of that,” replied the black- 
smith, laughing. " You can speak to the 
purpose in private, I am proof of that, and 
I can promise you a houseful to hear you 
talk.” 

Mr. Halsey was not at home when the 
doctor called, but his wife could answer for 
him as well as herself. She was greatly in- 
terested, and, taking the matter into her own 
hands, so managed that Dr. Hall was invited 
to speak upon the subject of temperance in 
the school-house of "District Number Three.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


169 


It was the general topic of conversation in 
the village. Some predicted that the meet- 
ing, if it was held, would result in the doc- 
tor’s being obliged to leave town ; others 
were sure he could not find six persons fool- 
ish enough to be present. 

A few encouraged him, and when the 
evening arrived, he drove with his wife to the 
school-house. Eugenia Vane, Clarence, and 
Selwyn Barnes were there, so he was sure of 
an audience of four. But, much to his aston- 
ishment, he found, upon entering the house, 
that every seat was occupied. Men, women 
and children had " turned out to hear the 
Temperance Doctor.” 

True to his promise, Dan Messer was 
there, with half a dozen of his customers. 
As others came in, he made himself useful in 
providing seats, and really seemed as much 
interested as any one present. 

Well acquainted with the character of the 
people whom he was to address, the doc- 
tor commenced talking in an easy, fa- 
miliar way, and soon the look of eager ex- 


170 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


pectancy yielded to one of intense interest. 
When he had spoken about fifteen minutes, a 
loud stamping was heard, and the door was 
opened to admit Esquire Randolph and Mr. 
Gore. Seats were provided, — the ’squire oc- 
cupying a position directly opposite the old 
desk, so that he could look the speaker full 
in the face. 

Far from being disconcerted, the presence 
of these men seemed to give the doctor a new 
inspiration, and he portrayed the evils of in- 
temperance in glowing colors. 

No one could deny what he said. Many 
could attest its truth by their own experi- 
ence. One old man, seated in the extreme 
corner of the room, was observed to be great- 
ly agitated, and, when the speaker paused 
for a moment, he exclaimed, in thrilling 
tones, "It’s worse than that.” 

There was a general movement, then a 
profound silence. "Worse than that !” re- 
peated the doctor, slowly. " What can be 
worse ? Who would choose the life I have 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


171 


described ? What heart could bear the crush- 
ing shame, the fearful sorrow ? ” 

The audience w r as deeply moved. Even 
Dan Messer was forced to wipe the tears 
from his eyes. A voice was again heard from 
the corner. "Let me tell my story.” 

It was " Crazy Bill, the old shingle-maker,” 
who spoke, and, at a word from the doctor, 
the people made way for him to come for- 
ward. His head was bald, and his form 
bent, while his poor and scanty clothing hung 
in rags. Blear-eyed and trembling he stood 
before the people, eager to speak, yet half- 
abashed by their gaze. 

Had a spectre appeared, the sensation 
could scarcely have been greater. Crazy 
Bill ! He talk of temperance ! Not one 
present but had seen him beastly drunk. 

It was plain that Esquire Randolph was 
disgusted. He drew his chair as far as 
possible from the old man. 

This roused him, and straightening himself 
to his full height, in a clear, ringing voice, 
he said, "I have drinked many a glass of 


172 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


wine and brandy with the ’squire ; but we 
never drink together now. He is rich, and I 
am only a poor drunkard. Why should he 
notice me?”. 

The ’squire moved uneasily, but the speak- 
er proceeded. "Yet, thirty years ago, my 
prospects were as bright as his. Some of 
you can remember me as I was then. I had 
a pleasant home, a loving wife, and three 
blooming children. Where are they now?” 
he asked, throwing out his arms wildly. 

" Dead ! All dead ! And I killed them by 
my neglect and cruelty. I loved them ; but 
the cursed drink maddened me. It burnt in 
my veins like fire ; yes, and it burns there 
now,” he cried, with startling vehemence. 

It was impossible to listen with indiffer- 
ence. This man, whose voice was seldom 
heard, save as he begged for food or cider, 
spoke with an irresistible power and elo- 
quence. " It is too late for me now to think of 
reform ; but I entreat you, young men, to 
take warning by my fate. I stand before 
you a murderer, guilty of the death of wife 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


173 


and children. I have blasted my life, ruined 
my soul, and all to gratify a hellish appetite. 
I shall drink till I die, and after death comes 
the judgment. Crazy ! Yes, X am crazy,” 
he shrieked, as the fire died out from his 
eyes, and the old maudlin look came back to 
his face. Shuffling to his seat, with form 
again bowed, he was only " the old' shingle- 
maker ; ” but he had told a story that could 
never be forgotten. 

" I presume the audience will be glad to 
hear from any one present,” said the doctor. 

Esquire Randolph felt constrained to re- 
spond to this appeal, and, moreover, he must 
make some reply to the remarks of "Mr. 
Morgan.” 

He rose leisurely from his chair. " I came 
to this meeting, not to speak, but to hear ; 
not to engage in any discussion, myself, but 
listen to the discussions of others. Yet, 
under present circumstances, I cannot re- 
frain from saying a few words. We have 
listened to an eloquent description of the 
evils of intemperance ; I could add nothing 


174 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


to this, should I attempt to. I stand before 
you as a representative of temperance. I 
have both preached and practised temperance 
all my life.. True, I did drink wine and 
brandy thirty years ago, and I drink them 
now. Mr. Morgan has told his story ; per- 
haps I might be pardoned for telling mine. 
But I will not weary your patience. I will 
only say that I have never used any stimu- 
lant to excess. I believe that the moderate 
use of ardent spirits is conducive to health 
and social enjoyment; and I believe, also, 
that any man can restrain his appetite within 
the bounds of moderation. We are to use 
the good things of this life without abusing 
them.” 

This is only the commencement of the 
speech, but as it consisted principally of the 
same ideas, I will not transcribe it. Excess 
and moderation were prominent words, ut- 
tered with various degrees of emphasis ; but 
they produced little effect, and the speaker 
sat down with the consciousness that, for 
once in his life, he had made a failure. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


175 


Every one seemed to expect that the doc- 
tor would make some reply to these " few 
words ; ” hut he was content to leave them 
without comment. He waited for others, but 
as no one spoke, he produced a "Total Ab- 
stinence Pledge,” which he read, and laid 
upon the desk. Pen and ink were placed 
beside it. 

"Will any one sign this pledge ? ** he asked. 
"My own name is already upon the paper.” 

Betsey Halsey rose instantly, followed by 
her husband and children. She did wait for 
Robert to write his name first, but it was 
with evident impatience. Mr. Allen came 
forward with his family ; some old people al- 
so signed the pledge, and, after some hesi- 
tation, the man whose head had been injured 
in the fight at Dan Messer’s added his signa- 
ture. 

The gentlemen from the village looked on 
with ill-disguised vexation, which vexation 
was increased when Mrs. Hall, Eugenia and 
Clarence Vane, with Selwyn Barnes, walked 
to the desk and atfixed their names to the 


176 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


odious paper. The ’squire, mortified and 
angry, considered this an act of defiance on 
the part of his wards. ' 

The names of other young people were 
added, and " signing the pledge ” seemed 
quite the fashion. This was better than the 
doctor had expected, and in well-chosen 
words he expressed his satisfaction. 

" I’ve got something to say before we go 
home,” said Dan Messer. "I believe it’s 
mean business to sell liquor as well as to drink 
it, and I’ll give it up if Gore will.” 

He waited for an answer, but none was 
vouchsafed. The landlord of the Eagle 
House felt himself insulted, and preserved 
what was intended to be a dignified silence. 

But Dan Messer was not satisfied. " Are 
you ready to give up selling liquor?” he 
asked, taking a step towards the man ad- 
dressed. 

There was some delay, even then, but at 
length Mr. Gore said, " I have no intention 
of changing my business.” 

"Very well, sir,” replied Dan Messer, 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


177 


in a loud tone, " then I’ll take my share of 
the profits. When a man comes and asks 
for rum, he shall have it, hut I won’t wheedle 
him into drinking when he don’t want to.” 

A pretty sharp hit, which Mr. Gore felt 
keenly. This was the last speech of the even- 
ing, and was, in its way, quite as effective 
as any which had been made. 

The next morning, Esquire Randolph made 
an early call at Mrs. Vane’s. Eugenia was 
alone in the sitting-room, thrumming the 
piano in a careless, undecided manner. She 
had no thoughts for music. The events of 
the previous evening, and the unanswered 
letter, engrossed her whole attention. 
" Good-morning, Uncle Randolph,” she said, 
as her guardian opened the door. 

He saw, at a glance, that she was not in 
her usual happy mood, but, returning the 
salutation, he seated himself in the favorite 
arm-chair, and inquired for Clarence. 

"He has gone to the village,” was the re- 
ply, "and mother is in the kitchen. I will 
call her if you wish.” 

12 


178 


THE! TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" There is no necessity for calling her ; I 
have no special business this morning.” 

Now, begging the ’squire’s pardon, this 
was not true. He had special business, but 
it was with the daughter rather than the 
mother. 

He chatted awhile upon different subjects, 
until the conversation seemed naturally to 
turn to the temperance meeting. 

" The doctor was really quite eloquent,” he 
said. " I never knew before that he had such 
a talent for public speaking. He ought to 
have chosen one of the talking professions.” 

" I didn’t suppose you would like him,” 
replied Genie. 

" Neither do I like him, if liking implies 
agreeing with his sentiments ; of course I 
can’t do that, but I think him a forcible 
speaker. He certainly had great power over 
his audience.” 

"Not so much as Crazy Bill,” said Genie. 

The ’squire didn’t care to talk about this 
man. "His appearance would impress any 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


179 


one; but the ravings of an insane man can 
hardly be said to have much power.” 

"Why, Uncle Randolph, don’t you think 
he knew what he was saying ? ” 

"Possibly.” 

" And didn’t he tell the truth ? ” continued 
Genie. 

"Yes; or, at least, I know nothing to the 
contrary. When I first came to town, he 
owned the farm at the foot of Long Hill, and 
was considered very smart. Everybody ex- 
pected he would be one of the richest men in 
town ; but he began drinking to excess, and 
his property was finally sold under the ham- 
mer. After that, he went from bad to worse, 
until now he hasn’t a shelter for his head.” 

"And did he abuse his wife and chil- 
dren?” 

"People said he beat them cruelly when he 
was intoxicated, and there is no doubt but 
they suffered from cold and hunger.” 

"I shouldn’t think any one would ever 
wish to drink any more liquor, after hearing 
his story,” exclaimed the young lady. 


180 - THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

"You jump at conclusions,” replied the 
cool-headed lawyer. "It does not follow 
that one must be a drunkard because he 
sometimes drinks a glass of wine. It is only 
necessary to govern one’s appetite.” 

" But a great many people won’t do that ; 
and why is it necessary to gratify such an 
appetite at all ? Dr. Hall says the appetite 
is usually acquired. Is it necessary to have 
it?” 

"Perhaps not; but I think the moderate 
use of stimulants beneficial. It certainly has 
been to me,” said the ’squire, after a short 
pause, during which he wondered if this girl 
ever would give up the habit of asking such 
direct questions. 

J ust then a sharp twinge of pain through 
one of his toes suggested a doubt as to the 
truth of this assertion ; but as toes are voice- 
less, Genie was no wiser for the suggestion. 
"I suppose you think you are on the safe 
side, now,” he said, with a forced laugh. 

" I hope I have always been safe from in- 
temperance,” was the reply. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


181 


"And now you have signed the pledge as- 
surance is made doubly sure.” 

This was said in a tone of irony, which 
roused the spirit of Eugenia Vane. "Of 
course, I shan’t break my pledge, Uncle 
Randolph; neither will Clarence.” 

"And Selwyn Barnes, — do you answer for 
him, also?” 

"No, sir; I presume he can answer for 
himself,” she replied, with flushed cheek and 
flashing eyes. 

" Tut, tut, Genie ; don’t get offended with 
your old uncle. I know you don’t care for 
Selwyn Barnes, but I must have my joke.” 

She was not quite so sure of this indiffer- 
ence as her guardian seemed to be. 

"I suppose you hear from Fred, often,” he 
said, desirous to introduce a more agreeable 
topic of conversation. 

Genie’s confusion at this remark convinced 
her guardian that, at last, the affair was set- 
tled, and, upon this presumption, he ventured 
a question which had been several times up- 
on his lips. "What do you think Fred will 


182 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


say, when you tell him of the meeting last 
evening ? ” 

”1 have no intention of telling him,” was 
the reply. 

" Better tell him at once,” was the fatherly 
counsel. "I presume it won’t trouble him 
seriously.” Then, without giving her time 
to reply, he added, "But, really, Genie, I 
was very sorry that you and Clarence should 
have placed yourselves upon a level with the 
crowd present last evening. I am afraid you 
allow Doctor Hall and his wife to have too 
much influence over you.” 

" They had nothing to do with my signing 
the pledge. I didn’t even know there was to 
be one presented; I should have signed it 
for Clarence’s sake, if for nothing else. You 
know that his only safety is in total absti- 
nence.” 

"I know that you think so, my dear. But 
when Clarence is older he will have more 
self-control. I presume you have no fears 
that Fred will be a drunkard.” 

"I certainly hope he will not.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


183 


Something in the manner this was said 
struck the ’squire unpleasantly. Was it 
possible that he had been mistaken in his 
conclusions ? "I suppose there is an under- 
standing between you and Fred,” he said, 
looking at her sharply. " I mean an under- 
standing that you will be married when he is 
established in practice,” he added, speaking 
more explicitly. 

" There is no such understanding,” was the 
reply. 

The gentleman, then, never dreaming that 
any young lady, much less the one before 
him, would think of refusing his Fred, sup- 
posed f ' the boy went back to the city with- 
out asking Genie to be his wife.” 

Anxious to make amends for this neglect, 
he assured his companion that " Fred had al- 
ways hoped and expected to marry her. As 
for my wife and myself, we have looked upon 
you as a daughter. I calculated upon that 
when you were a baby.” 

Esquire Randolph’s anger of the preceding 
evening had taken counsel of prudence, else 


184 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


would the result of this call have been very 
different. As it was> he went to his office 
somewhat chagrined at his mistake, yet de- 
termined that the matter should be set right. 
Supposing Fred to be the one in fault, he 
wrote a letter for the next mail, in which he 
plainly told the young gentleman his opin- 
ion. 

Genie had intended writing that morning, 
and the contents of the letter were fully de- 
termined. But the visit of her guardian, and 
the hopes he had expressed, threw her again 
into a state of indecision. Possibly Fred 
might be a moderate drinker all his life 
without injury to himself or others. Then 
he had loved her so long. Might she not 
safely trust his love ? 

In the midst of this debate her mother 
came into the room. " You have had quite a 
long call,” she said. 

"Yes, mother, but it was not particularly 
pleasant.” 

"Was Esquire Randolph offended because 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


185 


you and Clarence signed the pledge last even- 
ing?” 

* I think he was, although he did not say so. 
He asked me what I supposed Fred would 
say when I told him of the meeting last even- 
ing, and I replied that I had no intention of 
telling him.” 

Genie’s nice sense of honor had prevented 
her consulting her mother in regard to the 
letter she had received ; but, under the pres- 
ent excitement, she revealed all her trouble, 
and asked advice. 

Mrs. Yane had expected this; indeed, it 
seemed but a natural result of the long in- 
timacy between the families. Only one ob- 
jection could be made to the young man, and 
this would hardly have been considered by 
most mothers. Once Mrs. Yane would 
have thought less of it than now. She had 
looked upon her husband’s unfortunate tem- 
perament as an exception, and fancied that 
some people might safely conform to the 
usages of society. 

But closer observation, aided by the in- 


186 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


telligent conversation of Dr. Hall, had 
wrought an entire change in her sentiments. 
She was a thorough convert to total absti- 
nence, and believed that no woman could 
safely trust her happiness in the hands of a 
moderate drinker. She recognized the diffi- 
culties of her daughter’s position ; but, having 
confidence both in her principles and decision, 
she had been content to know that whatever 
might be the tacit understanding in the family 
of her guardian, Genie was bound neither by 
word or honor. 

" I wish that letter had never been written,” 
said the troubled girl. "Now, it must be 
answered.” 

" Of course it must be answered.” 

" How, mother?” 

" As your heart and judgment dictate,” was 
the reply, with a strong emphasis upon the 
second authority. 

"My judgment decides against marrying 
an habitual wine-drinker, and I am sure Fred 
Eaudolph is that. But, then, — ” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


187 


"Then, what?” asked the mother, anx- 
iously. 

"His father and mother. They have al- 
ways said I belonged to them almost as much 
as to you.” 

"Their kindness and affection demand a 
proper return, but they do not demand that 
you sacrifice yourself. Think well and 
calmly, Genie.” 

"Before Uncle Randolph came in, I had 
decided just what to write.” 

" Then write it now.” 

" The whole village is wide awake,” ex- 
claimed Clarence, as he came in, interrupting 
the conversation between his mother and 
sister. 

"What has roused them?” asked Genie. 
"I have heard no bells.” 

"The bells were rung down in Number 
Three, last evening, and the echoes have just 
been heard up here. The only reason you 
haven’t heard them is because you have been 
in the house all the morning.” 

"What do you mean?” asked Mrs. Vane. 


188 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" Why, the doctor’s temperance meeting 
has created quite an excitement. Every- 
body is talking about it. Jotham Gore 
called me a teetotaler, and I thanked him for 
the compliment. I think it’s the best name I 
ever had. I saw the doctor, too,” he con- 
tinued, "and he is much encouraged. Dan 
Messer promised not to sell any more liquor 
to Crazy Bill.” 

Mrs. Vane allowed Clarence to talk as long 
as he pleased. She thought he might say 
just what Genie needed to hear. Some one 
had given him a history of the man who 
wished to tell his story, the evening before, 
and this he repeated, with certain comments 
of his own. " If any man thinks best to try 
moderate drinking, after hearing that, he can, 
but I certainly will not.” 

This was, to Clarence, the conclusion of 
the whole matter, and had Genie asked his 
advice, he would have given it without hesi- 
tation. 

When he went out to school, she fully in- 
tended to write to Fred Kandolph, directly, 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


189 


but company and household duties furnished 
a pretext for delay. The next day and the 
next were spent in much the same manner, 
until nearly a fortnight had elapsed since the 
reception of his letter. 

At length, after many unsuccessful at- 
tempts, she wrote a reply, of which her judg- 
ment approved, and to which her heart gave 
a reluctant assent. 


YI. 


Sights and scenes of horror 
That fill tho soul with dread; 
Mingled grief and terror, 

The living and the dead. 


The last week in January the cold was 
intense, and the roads so blocked with snow 
as to be almost impassable. For hours the 
patient oxen toiled through the drifts, while 
men and boys urged them forward and 
sometimes aided their progress. Stages 
came in irregularly, mails were delayed, and 
travellers were glad to test the comforts of a 
country hotel, or the hospitalities of private 
individuals. 

It was a time for generous hearts to think 
of the poor, and long to supply their needs. 
Even Dan Messer had some compunctions of 
conscience in regard to his business when his 

100 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


191 


miserable customers came in to spend the 
money which should have gone to buy food 
for their families. 

" Tough weather, this,” said Bill Magoon, 
as he shut the door, and caught up an old 
broom to sweep the snow from his boots. 
" It’s enough to freeze a man clear through,” 
he added, drawing near the stove, and ex- 
tending his bloated hands to catch the genial 
heat. ” Much as I could do to get here ; but 
my jug was empty, and it had got to be 
filled some way. I wish it was larger, so I 
shouldn’t have to come so often. But then 
you have so much better fire than poor folks 
can afford, it pays to come, for the sake of 
gittin warmed up. Say, Dan, can’t you trust 
a feller this mornin’ ? The old woman wants 
a little tea and sugar, and I’m short for mon- 
ey. She thinks she aint very well. Women 
are notional critters.” 

How Dan Messer despised the man before 
him ! In imagination he saw the wretched 
wife cowering over a smouldering fire, half 
clad, and suffering for the want of nourishing 


192 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


food. " Better spend your money for some- 
thing to carry home to your wife, and let the 
jug go empty. You’ll be the better for it, 
and I’m sure your wife will.” 

" Couldn’t think of it,” was the heartless 
reply. " I can’t live without my rum, and if 
you won’t trust me, Sukey must go without 
tea, this time. She wanted some flour, too, 
but I guess corn meal’ll answer her turn a 
while longer.” 

Another customer came in, another brush- 
ing followed, and nearly the same remarks 
were made in regard to the weather. 

"Has any one seen Crazy Bill, this week?” 
asked the new-comer. "I can’t see any 
smoke from his camp, this morning, and I 
wan’t certain about it yesterday.” 

"He was here day before yesterday, just 
at night,” said Dan Messer. "He wanted 
some rum, but I wouldn’t let him have any.” 

"Too bad, by George,” replied one. "He’s 
paid you money enough not to be turned off 
that way such weather as this.” 

"I gave him something better than rum.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


193 


" What was it ? ” 

"A good supper. I tried to have him 
stay with me all night ; but I couldn’t keep 
him. I gave him some tea and coffee, and he 
said he had meat and potatoes enough, on 
the hill, to last him a fortnight.” 

"That’s better’n nothing; but taint the 
stuff, after all. Somebody ought to look 
after him. I’d go up there myself if ’twan’t 
so fur.” 

The speaker had walked much farther that 
morning than it would be to go to the camp 
of the old shingle-maker. 

"Let us all go,” said the rumseller. 

"Then, treat all round,” said a chorus of 
voices. "We can’t take that tramp on empty 
stomachs.” 

This demand was complied with, and they 
started off, following the road for a short dis- 
tance, and then turning into the woods. 
There had been a path before the storm of 
the previous day, but now every trace was « 
obliterated, and it was with difficulty they 
made their way through the trackless snow. 

13 


194 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Some would gladly have turned back, but 
Dan Messer would listen to no such proposal. 

" Forward,” was the word with him, and, 
after a fatiguing walk, they reached the 
shanty. The snow was piled high against the 
door, no smoke issued from the chimney, 
and their repeated holloas received no reply. 

One of the party had brought a shovel, 
and, with the aid of this, an entrance was ef- 
fected into the rude dwelling. In one corner 
of this were a shaving bench, some blocks of 
timber, a pile of finished shingles, and the 
tools used in their manufacture. Opposite 
the door was a rough stone chimney resting 
against the rock which formed two sides of 
the room. The other two had been construct- 
ed of logs, and made tight by chinking with 
coarse mortar. This shanty, or cave as it 
was sometimes called, had formerly been 
used as a camp for choppers, but during two 
winters Crazy Bill had found shelter there. 

* When the door was opened that January 
morning, the first object which met the gaze 
was the form of the old shingle-maker, lying 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


105 


stiff and stark upon the floor. A cry of hor- 
ror escaped the beholders, and, for a moment, 
they stood as though paralyzed. Dan Messer 
was first to recover, and decide, what must be 
done. Turning to the man who seemed best 
able to endure fatigue, he said, "You must 
get to the village, in some way, and send the 
’squire up here. I’ll stay, and the rest can 
stay or go, just as they’ve a mind to.” 

" But aint you goin’ back to the store ? ” 
asked Bill Magoon. " How am I to git my 

jug?” 

" Go without it,” was the emphatic reply. 
"Carry this tea and sugar to your wife,” he 
added, taking up from an old table the same 
packages he had given Crazy Bill, and which 
contained nearly all of their original con- 
tents. 

The man was not yet satisfied. "Your 
jug has nothing in it,” was said, at length, 
"and what’s more, it won’t have to-day. 
Don’t talk of that now. ’ 

Nothing more was said of the jug, and the 
owner departed with him who had been ap- 


196 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


pointed to carry the news to the village. 
Long before they reached the main road they 
heard the shouts of " a breaking-out team.” 
When they came up to it, and told their 
story, a man who lived near volunteered to 
go on horseback to summon the coroner. 

Esquire Randolph was in his office, and 
made no unnecessary delay in preparing for 
his ride. Seeing Dr. Hall in the street, he 
called to him. This he would not have done 
had Dr. Walton been able to go out. But 
he was confined to the house by an aggra- 
vated attack of his old difficulty. 

The time seemed long to those who 
watched in the cave, and, at last, Dan Messer 
was left alone. Not a sound save the crack- 
ling of the fire which had been kindled on 
the ample hearth relieved the oppressive 
stillness. 

Once had the old man told his story, and 
prophesied of the future. "I shall drink till 
I die, and after death comes the judgment.” 
The lonely watcher remembered these words, 
and was glad to be roused from his painful 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


197 


reflections by the sound of approaching foot- 
steps. 

Esquire Randolph entered, with the gentle- 
men who had accompanied him. Few words 
were spoken. Plenty of food was found in 
the cupboard by the chimney, and there 
could be no lack of fuel ; so the old man had 
died of neither hunger nor cold. 

An examination of the body followed, and 
a verdict rendered of " Death caused by dis- 
ease of the heart, induced by long continued 
habits of intemperance.” 

A relative of the deceased lived about 
two miles distant, and it was thought best to 
consult him in regard to the final disposal of 
the body. 

Dan Messer again volunteered to remain 
until further arrangements could be made, 
but this watch was not a lonely one. A 
strange attraction drew the people of the 
town to the hillside camp. A well-beaten 
path soon marked the way, and many came 
to look upon the dead face of the man who 
had so long been known as Crazy Bill. 


198 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


"There aint a handsomer man anywhere 
in the parts, than he used to he,” said one 
who had known him before intemperance had 
set its seal upon him. 

"Was he really crazy? ” asked an earnest- 
looking boy. 

"Certainly not,” was the reply. "His 
mind hasn’t been very strong for a few years, 
and he said a great many strange things ; but 
he was no more crazy than some other men 
in town.” 

"No more so than any one who destroys 
his senses by drinking,” added an old man, 
who was present at the temperance meeting. 

The comments made, and the events re- 
counted in that forest dwelling, were im- 
pressive and instructive, revealing much of 
the character of the speakers, and the history 
of the dead. Men talked of " William Mor- 
gan,” not of " Crazy Bill,” and of " the prom- 
ising young farmer,” rather than "the old 
shingle-maker. ” 

The afternoon was fast waning, when, 
under the direction of the relative to whom al- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


199 


lusion has been made, the body was removed. 
Borne upon a rude litter for nearly a quarter 
of a mile, it was then placed on a sled, to be 
carried to the house where the funeral was to 
be attended. 

When all had left, and the echo of their 
voices had died away in the distance, Dan 
Messer wended his way slowly homeward, 
regardless of cold or snow. His groggery 
was not opened that evening. Those who 
came for their accustomed drink were invited 
to the room adjoining the store, which served 
as parlor, bedroom, and kitchen to the pro- 
prietor. Here they were at liberty to remain 
until thoroughly warmed, and, if anything was 
wanted in his line of groceries, it w T as brought ; 
but "no liquor to-night” was his reply to 
all. 

The next day a motley group assembled 
at the funeral of William Morgan. There 
were rich and poor, sober men and drunk- 
ards. 

Dr. Hall was present, although his time 
was much occupied. An unusual amount of 


200 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


professional business devolved upon him dur- 
ing Dr. Walton’s illness. From the funeral, 
he went to visit the old doctor himself, who 
was suffering so severely that even his favor- 
ite remedy failed to give relief. 

It was of no use to preach total abstinence ; 
but Dr. Hall expressed his opinion decidedly 
in regard to the nature of the disease, which, 
having been caused by the use of brandy, 
could never be cured by it. This opinion 
was received with little favor, yet the reme- 
dies suggested were faithfully applied. 

The week passed, and February was ushered 
in by a blinding snow-storm. No one but 
the doctor thought of riding. His business 
was imperative. There was much sickness, 
and, rather than send out of town for a phy- 
sician, many employed the "Temperance 
Doctor ” for the first time. Some complained 
of the strict regimen to which they were sub- 
jected, but most yielded without a word of 
remonstrance. 

After a most fatiguing day, Dr. Hall seat- 
ed himself for an evening at home. Dress- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


201 


ing-gown and slippers, new books and the 
society of his wife, were so seldom enjoyed 
as to be counted among the luxuries of his 
life. 

"Dear me,” exclaimed his wife, as the old 
knocker sounded, "I do hope you’ll not be 
obliged to go out again to-night.” 

" I hope not, Annie ; but I am servant to 
the public, and must do my duty,” was the 
reply, as he went into the hall. "Fred 
Randolph is at home, sick,” he said, as he 
re-entered the room. "I must go there, im- 
mediately.” 

Soon ready, he left the cheerful sitting- 
room, where his wife watched and waited for 
his return until the clock struck the hour of 
midnight. 

He found the young man in a high fever, 
and somewhat delirious. A slight indisposi- 
tion had detained him from his studies for a 
few days before leaving the city, and he was 
in no condition to endure the exposure, 
consequent upon a journey - home. 

He reached there, chilled and suffering, 


202 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


yet determined, not only to keep lip, but go 
out. He soon found this impossible. One 
moment shivering with ague, the next 
burning with fever, half crazed with pain, 
there was no alternative but to be treated as 
an invalid. 

* The parents were relieved when Dr. Hall 
reached there, and, with his usual prompt- 
ness, prescribed the necessary treatment. 
But disease had fast hold of its victim, and 
ordinary remedies failed. It was soon ap- 
parent to the observing physician that men- 
tal excitement had something to do with the 
present condition of his patient, and he was 
not long in discovering that Eugenia Yane 
was, in some way, responsible for this ex- 
citement. As I have before said, it was mid- 
night when he returned home, feeling the 
need of rest, yet too anxious and troubled to 
obtain it. 

The next morning Fred Randolph was 
worse. A brain fever seemed inevitable. 
He talked incessantly ; yet, if mad, there was 
method in his madness, for his words showed 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


203 


that his thoughts scarcely wandered from one 
object of interest. 

After the doctor’s visit, Esquire Randolph, 
without even informing his wife of his inten- 
tion, drove to Mrs. Vane’s. "I have come to 
carry you home with me,” he said to Genie. 

" Such a day as this, Uncle Randolph ! I 
had not dreamed of going out to-day.” 

" But we need you ; Fred has come home 
sick.” 

This was news ; but, instead of being a 
reason why she should be invited there, it 
seemed to her quite the reverse, and she 
instantly decided not to go. 

Before she had given utterance to this de- 
cision, her guardian commenced an account 
of his son’s illness. " Haven’t you received a 
letter from him?” he asked, in conclusion. 

"Yes, sir,” she replied, thinking of the one 
which had cost her so much anxiety. 

"I thought so,” said the 'squire, in a tone 
of satisfaction. "The sight of you will do 
Fred more good than medicine ; so tell your 


204 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


mother she must spare you to us for the 
present. ” 

"But, Uncle Randolph,” — 

" Well, what is it, my dear?* You have no 
scruples on the score of propriety, I hope. 
If Fred can’t come to see you, it’s your place 
to go to him.” 

"Did he wish you to come for me?” she 
asked. 

" He said nothing about it, and I didn’t tell 
him I was coming. But he repeats your 
name constantly, and talks of an unanswered 
letter. Do you owe him a letter ? ” 

"No, sir.” 

" When did you hear from him last ? ” 

"New Year’s Day.” 

" Not since then ! ” exclaimed the ’squire, 
with a perplexed look. " And hasn’t Fred 
asked you to be his wife?” 

"Yes, sir; and I think, under the circum- 
stances, he would not care to see me.” 

" \Yhat have you done ? ” asked the old 
man, sternly, a new idea flashing across his 
mind. "Have you refused my boy?” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


205 


"I told him that I could never be his 
wife,” said Genie, in a tremulous tone. 

Esquire Randolph had through his whole life 
consulted policy, and it served him still. 
Reproaches would avail nothing, and, smoth- 
ering his indignation, he still insisted that 
his ward should accompany him. "If you 
prefer not to stay, I will bring you back. 
The ride will, certainly, do you no harm.” 

But she was decided, and he was forced to 
return without her. Again by the bedside 
of his son, he listened to his incoherent mut- 
terings, until he was convinced that the last 
letter written by Genie had never been re- 
ceived. As the day advanced, the fever 
increased, and the sick man called constantly 
for his old playmate. 

"I wish Genie was here,” said the mother. 
" I do believe he would be more quiet if he 
could see her. Had not you better go down 
and bring her up ? ” 

" She might have some scruples about com- 
ing,” replied the ’squire, evasively. 

"She need not have. I am sure I could 


20 ft THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

reason her out of them ; and I never can bear 
to hear Fred call for her like that,” she- said, 
as he again begged that Genie would come 
to him.. " I know he intended to go down to 
see her last evening.” 

Dr. Hall made his second visit, looking se- 
rious, as he noted the progress of the fever. 
The habits of the young man were against 
him. Fast living and late revels were poor 
preparations for withstanding the attacks of 
disease. 

Mrs. Randolph urged her husband to go 
for Genie Vane, and, after waiting until 
evening, he complied. His plans were well 
matured when he reached the house. Prob- 
abilities and possibilities had been considered, 
and, humiliating as it was, he condescended 
to plead with his ward. 

She was moved by his representations. It 
seemed cruel to deny his request. After a 
short consultation with her mother, she con- 
sented to accompany her guardian, upon con- 
dition that she should return in an hour. 
This may seem like weakness ; but it was a 




THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 207 

weakness of which most women would be 
guilty. 

Not a word escaped her during the short 
drive, yet more than once she was upon the 
point of demanding to be carried home. Even 
after entering the house, her impulse was to 
fly, and thus escape the toils that seemed 
closing around her. 

Mrs. Randolph entered the room, saying, 
as she threw her arms around the young girl, 
" Thank you for coming, dear. I was sure 
you couldn’t refuse.” 

"But I ought not to have come, auntie, 
and I am sorry that I did so,” was the reply. 

"You shall never regret it,” said the moth- 
er, in a tone of loving assurance. " You will 
be dearer to us now than ever before,” she 
added, as she led the way to the chamber of 
her son. 

The father opened the door, and beckoned 
them in. Genie heard her name pronounced 
in tones of sorrowful tenderness, and involun- 
tarily moved towards the bed. A smile of 
joy told how welcome was her presence. One 


208 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


hand clasped hers ; with the other, her head 
was drawn to the pillow. Burning kisses 
were pressed upon lip and brow, and all 
sweet terms of endearment lavished upon 
her. 

Happy in bestowing these caresses, Fred 
Kandolph noticed not that they were received 
passively, and that the cheek he held against 
his own was blanched as by a sudden fear. 
"O Genie, darling, why was my letter not 
answered? It was so long to wait.” 

"I did answer it,” she replied, struggling 
to free herself from his embrace. 

" And I never received it. It must have 
been lost. But no matter. You are mine, 
now,” he said, folding her more closely to 
his heart. 

"Fred! Fred!” she cried, in a voice of 
terror, as in an instant all that was implied 
by those last words flashed upon her. 

"Pardon me, darling. I didn’t meant to 
trouble you,” he said, allowing her to be 
seated in a chair that stood by the bed, while 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


209 


he retained one of her hands in his feverish 
grasp. 

Esquire Randolph was not disappointed in 
the result of this visit, so unwillingly made. 
He knew that the lips of his ward were 
sealed in regard to the contents of her last 
letter to Fred, and that she would never un- 
deceive him while he lay sick. Beyond that, 
he was willing to trust time and circum- 
stances. 

* Mrs. Randolph looked on, well pleased, 
but Eugenia Yane was impatient to go home. 
Every moment she remained increased her 
perplexity. " She had refused ” the man 
before her, and, under ordinary circum- 
stances, no words of his could have changed 
her decision. 

But the scene in which she had been an 
unwilling participant, the thronging of old 
memories, and the mute appeal of eyes 
gazing fondly into her own, half constrained 
her to accept the implied position, and bide 
her fate. 

Then came thoughts of home, and of the 
14 


210 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


brother for whom she hoped and feared so 
much. She would be free. It was wrong 
to sit there and act a lie, dishonorable to 
flatter hopes which could never be realized. 
"Uncle Randolph, will you take me home?” 
she asked, by a sudden effort releasing her 
hand, and turning from the bed. 

"Don’t leave me,” said Fred, imploringly. 
"I shall forget as soon as you are gone.” 

His father, fearing to trust her longer, 
came to the rescue. "You must let her go, 
soon, Fred. I promised not to keep her 
long. Perhaps she will come again to-mor- 
row.” 

"Will you come?” he asked, pleadingly. 
"It is such a little while you have been here, 
Genie dear. Don’t leave me now.” 

The mother joined her entreaties, and 
again was she persuaded against her own 
better judgment. For the hour Fred Ran- 
dolph seemed almost oblivious of pain, and, 
though his mind sometimes wandered, he was 
less restless than he had been at any time 
during the day. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


211 


" Uncle Randolph, I can’t go to your house 
to-morrow. I am sorry I went this evening. 
What am I to do? Fred must know the 
truth. It is wrong to deceive him.” 

This was said by Genie during the drive 
home from the house of her guardian. 

" I thank you more than I can tell for hav- 
ing gone with me,” was the reply of her 
companion, ignoring the trouble manifest in 
every tone of her voice. " You have done a 
world of good, and I know you’ll not endan- 
ger Fred’s life by telling him that his letter 
was answered differently from what he ex- 
pects. Promise me not to do that until he 
is stronger and better able to bear it,” he 
added, without one thought of pity for her 
who sat beside him. 

The promise was given, and Eugenia Yane 
breathed more freely as she found herself 
once more at home. To her mother she 
gave a detailed account of what had passed 
during her visit, closing with, "I am so sorry 
I went.” 

"You could hardly do otherwise, Genie,” 


212 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


replied Mrs. Vane. "I am sorry to have 
your conduct misunderstood, but I must 
agree with the ’squire, that it is no time for 
undeceiving Fred.” 

Clarence, coming in, looked at his sister 
sharply. He was thoroughly displeased with 
the aspect of affairs, and expressed his dis- 
pleasure strongly. 

Poor Genie passed a sleepless night, and 
rose the next morning with a headache so 
severe as to unfit her for any employment. 
She was glad to lie quietly upon the lounge, 
close her eyes, and try to forget. Starting 
at every unusual noise, turning restlessly, 
while the pain in her head increased, the 
morning wore away. Somewhat past noon 
she was roused from a light slumber by the 
sound of bells. "Not here, mother,” she 
said. Mrs. Vane met Esquire Eandolph in 
the hall, and ushered him into the dining- 
room. As was expected, he called for Genie ; 
but her mother was unwilling to have her 
disturbed. 

"I had hoped to take her home with me,” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


213 


he said. "Fred is worse to-day, and won- 
ders that she does not come to him.” 

He had fancied that he could move the 
heart of the daughter ; but he could not see 
her, and the mother was inexorable. When 
the hall-door closed after him, Genie gave a 
sigh of relief. She could not but be anxious 
in regard to what had transpired, but she 
asked no questions. 

Clarence came in from school, repeating 
what he had heard. "Fred Randolph is worse 
to-day, and Dr. Walton has been up to see 
him. Everybody says he’ll have a hard time 
with the fever. I guess there has been too 
much wine, and too little cold water. Cold 
water for me !” he exclaimed. Then, remem- 
bering the aching head of his sister, he knelt 
by her side, and smoothing back her heavy 
black hair, left a kiss upon her lips. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Hall was perplexed. That 
the presence of Eugenia Vane would be bene- 
ficial to his patient, he well knew ; that she 
had once visited him, he felt assured. Why 
was not the visit repeated ? 


214 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


He resolved to see the young lady ; but 
after a half hour’s call his perplexity was as 
great as before. It was increased when, the 
following afternoon, he found Mrs. Vane and 
her daughter at Esquire Randolph’s. It was 
only an act of neighborly kindness, to relieve 
the parents from their constant watch, but 
Genie would never have thought of offering 
her services as nurse. A long interview be- 
tween Mrs. Randolph and herself had resulted 
in her being where she was. 

"I will go down myself,” she had said, 
when her husband refused to make any fur- 
ther effort to bring the young girl there. 
"She will certainly listen to me.” 

The listening was not all upon one side. 
The lady herself heard a strange revelation, 
and no longer wondered at Genie’s unwilling- 
ness to accompany her. But she was utterly 
at a loss to understand the reason why Fred’s 
proposal of marriage had been rejected. 

That he was fully the equal of her whom 
he loved, the fond mother never doubted. 
He certainly was, in social position and future 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


215 


prospects, and she was sure the time had 
been when Genie was not indifferent to his 
love. 

An expression of surprise challenged the 
explanation, which was frankly made. "And 
you couldn’t trust him,” said the mother, in 
a reproachful tone. "I wonder that you 
thought of it.” 

Her companion made good her position by 
citing the example of her father, and of many 
others who, with the most flattering pros- 
pects, had made utter shipwreck of their 
lives. "Think of Crazy Bill,” she said, in 
conclusion. "I can never forget him.” 

" Suppose you think of your guardian. He 
is not a drunkard,” said the good woman, 
whose faith in her husband had never for one 
moment been shaken. 

But she Was content to waive discussion, 
and turned to the object which was upper- 
most in her mind. She used all her arts of 
persuasion to induce Genie to accompany her 
home, pleading as for the life of her son. 
"Only humor his fancies now,” she said. "If 


216 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


he lives, tell him what you please, when he 
is stronger.” 

" If he lives ! ” This simple phrase had 
more influence than all which had preceded 
it. Should he die, the guilt might lie at her 
door. Her heart gave a quick bound at the 
thought, and, her mother accompanying her, 
she decided to go. 

She crossed the threshold of the sick-room 
noiselessly, but the subtile influence of her 
presence gave notice of her approach. So 
tenderly, thankfully, was she welcomed, that 
she wmndered at her hesitation in coming. 
Unmindful of the future, she devoted herself 
to the task of soothing the sufferer ; and, in 
the success which crowned her efforts, felt 
amply repaid. 

" Better than medicine 9 ’ was the sight of 
her face, pale though it was. There was 
hope of rest. Dr. Hall rejoiced at this, but 
feared it was purchased too dearly. 

Mrs. Vane received his instructions for the 
night, and herself watched by the bedside of 
Fred Randolph. Home duties demanded her 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


217 


attention in the morning, and she prepared to 
take her leave. 

" Genie cannot go, must not go. It will 
kill Fred if she leaves him.” These were 
the exclamations from father, mother, and 
brother. It seemed useless to argue the 
question, and she allowed her daughter to 
decide. 

It cost her a struggle to remain ; it might 
have cost her a more severe struggle to go. 
She was not sure. Even then she thought 
of Clarence, and begged her mother to tell 
him all the circumstances which influenced 
her decision. 

Dr. Walton came again that day, and, 
seeing her, smiled approvingly. Yet there 
was little cause to smile in that room, for the 
fever raged violently, and fears were enter- 
tained that it might prove fatal. Dr. Hall 
expressed his fears frankly, and it was at his 
request that Dr. Walton had made the neces- 
sary effort to visit the young man. 

"You can only watch and wait,” said the 
family physician ; but the young doctor pro- 


218 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


posed to do more than that. He was assidu- 
ous in his attentions, unwearied in his efforts, 
devoting what time he could command from 
other duties. Thus interested in his patient, 
he yet found time and opportunity to think 
and care for her who watched beside him. 
He insisted that she should be allowed to 
r&st, and, when he afterwards found her 
weeping by herself, he ventured to ask the 
cause of her tears. 

She longed to tell him all her trouble, and 
ask his counsel ; but honor forbade. 

" I hope Fred will recover,” he said, after 
finding that his question elicited no reply. 
" There is a chance for him yet.” 

He expected this would draw forth some 
expression of feeling. He was disappointed. 
f 'I must get your mother to put you under 
my care,” he added, after a short silence. 
"I’m not sure but I ought to prescribe for 
you professionally . ” 

" I am not sick,” she replied, for the first 
time raising her eyes. 

In a moment a suspicion of the truth 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


219 


flashed upon her friend. " You ought not to 
remain here to-day,” he said, taking her hand 
in his, and counting the quick pulse. "Let 
me carry you home.” 

She shook her head. 

" Genie, did you wish to come here? ” 

Again the same mute negative. 

"Do you wish to stay ? ” 

"I don’t know.” 

A burst of tears followed this avowal, and 
the doctor wished Annie was there, with her 
warm heart and quick wit. 

Not long could he linger. Others demand- 
ed his care, and, with an anxious look to the 
young girl, whose sad face haunted him for 
hours after, he rode away. By the ice-bound 
river, over hills and through valleys, he 
sped. Stopping occasionally at comfortable 
farm-houses, or low, time-worn cottages, he 
came at length to a lonely dwelling, half 
hidden by the snow. A narrow path led to 
the door, which swung heavily on its hinges. 

"Mary’s dead. You can’t do no more for 
her,” was the greeting he received. "Died 


220 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


half an hour ago,” added the mother, without 
rising; from her chair. ” She’s the last one. 
I’m glad there aint no more to die.” 

Upon the bed, which occupied one corner 
of the room, lay the lifeless form of Mary 
Stratton. There, too, was the drunken fa- 
ther, one hand resting carelessly upon the 
head of his child. 

It was a sight to sadden any heart. No 
wonder that the mother had turned away, 
refusing to look upon the revolting picture. 
She sat, weaving her body to and fro, with 
eyes dry as stones, and no traces of tears 
upon her cheeks. 

Three children had died, after long and 
painful sicknesses, and now the Ltst had 
found rest in death. There was little reason 
to mourn for them, yet this mother had 
mourned and wept until the fountain of her 
tears seemed exhausted. 

" Have you been alone to-day ? ” asked Dr. 
Hall. 

" Mostly, since morning, till he come back,” 
was the reply. " The neighbors are good ; 


TIIE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


221 


but they can’t do always for me, when there’s 
so many sick.” 

" Have you anything in the house to eat ? ” 

" Got some potaters. The women brought 
some bread and meat last night, but he ate it 
all up. I don’t care nothin’ about that. I 
aint hungry.” 

"Can I carry Mary’s body into the bed- 
room ? ” asked the doctor, not satisfied to have 
it remain where it was. 

"Yes, if you want to,” said the mother. 
"But it won’t make no difference. She don’t 
know. He won’t strike her now, and if he 
does, it won’t hurt her. I’m glad of that.” 

These words were spoken in a voice so 
utterly passionless as to be terrible. It be- 
tokened the apathy of that despair which 
settles upon the heart when life has done its 
worst, and there is nothing more to fear. 
This woman had never been beautiful or 
gifted, but she had been young and happy, 
looking forward with hope and anticipation. 

Dr. Hall had carried the body of the child 
into the bedroom, straightened the limbs, 


222 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


closed the eyes, and smoothed back the hair, 
when the door opened, and Mrs. Halsey 
entered. She carried a bundle, and her 
husband followed with a basket. 

Proceeding to take off her hood and cloak, 
she said, "I should have come before if I 
could, but I’ve watched three nights within a 
week, and I had such a headache, Robert 
said I must rest. I knew the women around 
here were all tired out. But where’s Mary ? ” 
she asked, glancing at the bed. 

The mother pointed to the adjoining room. 
Mrs. Halsey was prepared for this, and had 
brought what she thought might be needed. 

"I can’t do anything with that man here,” 
she said. " Isn’t there a place for him up- 
stairs ? ” 

"A poor place, I guess,” replied her hus- 
band. 

"Good enough for him, any way,” was 
the decision. "I’ll go up and see.” 

Poor place indeed ! A low unfinished 
garret. But it contained an apology for a 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


223 


bed, which was made to serve as a resting- 

7 O 

place for the drunkard. 

Then Mrs. Halsey appealed to the wife, 
who had seemed scarcely to notice what was 
going on around her. She said she was 
neither tired nor hungry, and wanted noth- 
ing. She could hardly be persuaded to 
taste the food which had been so kindly pro- 
vided ; yet when the fire was replenished and 
the room made clean, she expressed her 
thanks. "I couldn’t do it,” she replied. 
"We used to be clean but ’twas a long while 

ago.” 

"We’ll stay for the present,” said Mr. 
Halsey, in reply to a question from the doc- 
tor. " Betsey ought to be abed ; but we 
won’t leave Mrs. Stratton alone.” 

Later, Dan Messer heard his name called 
loudly by some one in the street. " Who is 
it?” he asked of a customer looking from the 
window. 

" The Temperance Doctor,” replied the 
man, with a scowl. "He’s round, every- 
where. No business coming here, though.” 


224 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Dan Messer heard only the first part of 
this speeech. Before it closed, he was stand- 
ing by Dr. Hall’s sleigh. 

"I’ve just come from Dick Stratton’s. 
Have you seen him to-day? ” 

"He was here this morning,” replied Dan. 

"I thought so, for I found him drunk.” 

"Drunk!” repeated the rumseller. "He 
told me he wanted some rum to use about his 
girl ; said you ordered it.” 

" That was a falsehood. I shall never send 
any man here for liquor,” said the doctor, 
emphatically. 

" I’m sorry I let him have it. I refused 
at first, for I know they’ve had a hard time. 
But he told such a fair story, and promised 
not to drink any of it, that I changed my 
mind. It’s the last liquor he’ll ever get, 
here. How is his girl? ” 

"Beyond his reach.” 

The interview closed abruptly. As the doc- 
tor drove away, he passed the "Ruggles 
Farm, ’’ observing, as he did so, that a pile of 
uncut wood lay at the door. He saw, too, the 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


225 


pale, thin face of Hattie Hosforcl pressed 
against the window. 

" I wish father was like him,” she said to 
herself, as she caught a glimpse of her friend. 
Her father was a drunkard. 

Strange that one, to whom belongs so holy 
a name, should ever so disgrace it I 
15 


vn. 


Oh! fearful and dark is the curse, 

That only its victim may know; 

Insatiate the terrible thirst, 

Undying its torture and woe. 

" Mother, how much longer is Genie 
to stay away?” 

"I don’t know, Clarence. I hope she 
will be at home soon.” 

"I hope so too,” rejoined the boy ; " and if 
I were in your place, I should send for her 
to come directly. She ought never to have 
gone.” 

Mrs. Yane had been thinking of her 
daughter, more than half inclined to the 
opinion of Clarence, that "she ought never 
to have gone,” and quite as impatient for her 
return as he could be. 


226 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


227 


" Can I go for her this evening, mother ? 
It is good walking ; and she has been there 
long enough.” 

Permission was given, with some cautions 
in regard to his conduct, and Clarence, cap 
in hand, waited to hear all his mother had to 
say. 

" I know just how they will try and keep 
Genie,” he said, in reply ; " but you will see 
her within an hour. There’s Selwyn Barnes, 
this minute,” he added, as the well-known 
voice of his friend was heard. 

The door opened and closed ; there was a 
short consultation, and then Selwyn Barnes 
entered the house alone, while his horse was 
driven in the direction of Esquire Randolph’s. 

" I came to see if I have lost my sister,” 
said Clarence Vane, as Genie met him. 
"Are you lost to me?” he asked, looking at 
her earnestly. 

"I think not,” she replied, with a wan 
smile. 

"Then go home with me now. We can’t 
spare you any longer,” he said. 


228 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


As was expected, the ’squire and his wife 
made strong objections to this, insisting that 
Clarence should go home alone. But Genie’s 
wishes accorded with those of her brother. 
Fred was sleeping ; so there were no remon- 
strances on his part, and, without binding 
herself by any promises, she sprang into the 
sleigh. 

"Young Barnes’ team. I suppose he’s 
waiting at Mrs. Vane’s,” said Esquire Ran- 
dolph to himself, as he closed the door. 

This thought was not a pleasant one, but 
it only served to strengthen his resolve that 
Eugenia Vane should be the wife of his son, 
despite all "temperance whims.” Fred be- 
lieved her betrothed to him, and she was 
pledged not to undeceive him until he was 
well. He knew she would not forfeit her 
word, come what might. As for Clarence, 
he had never counted on his influence, either 
for or against the proposed alliance. But 
had he listened to the conversation between 
the brother and sister after they left his 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


229 


house, that evening, he might not have been 
so sanguine. 

Genie was glad to be at home, and, like a 
child freed from irksome restraint, gave ex- 
pression to her gladness. Selywn Barnes 
thought her more charming than ever, and 
wondered if she really was " engaged to Fred 
Randolph,” as everybody said. 

"Now, mother, tell me what I shall do,” 
she said, when their visitor had departed. 

"Sleep for to-night, and let the morrow 
care for itself.” 

Much-needed advice, received gladly, and 
obeyed implicitly. Late to breakfast, but 
no one found fault. It was such a pleasure 
to have Genie at home, that Clarence was 
disposed to think kindly of every one, even 
Fred Randolph. "No wonder he loves her,” 
thought the boy. 

For a time she almost forgot the shadow 
which clouded her life. With its memory 
came the question, "What shall I do?” 
Over and over again, had this been asked. 


230 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" To-morrow” had come. What would it 
bring ? 

Taking up a book, she attempted to read, 
but her thoughts wandered. In imagination, 
she heard a familiar voice calling her. Did 
her heart respond? Was the voice one to 
which she could listen all her life long, and 
never tire of its accents ? If it grew hoarse 
with wine, would it still be dear? 

" Never ! Never ! A drunkard’s wife ! 
Never ! ” she exclaimed, rising from her seat, 
and giving vent to her excited feelings in 
a wild storm of music. 

But the trial was not over. Fred Kan- 
dolph missed his fair attendant, and insisted 
that some one should go for her. He grew 
feverish and restless. Dr. Hall found him 
worse than he had expected ; his parents were 
troubled, and there seemed no help but from 
Genie. 

The father presented himself before her. 
" I cannot go,” she said. " You must not 
ask me.” 

She knew all that would be urged, all that 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


231 


would appeal to her sympathy, should she 
yield; and, knowing, feared to trust her- 
self under its influence. 

"I cannot go back without you,” replied 
her guardian. " Fred will be worse than 
ever, before night, if I do, and his life de- 
pends upon ‘ his being kept quiet. Better 
never have gone than refuse now.” 

"It would have been better had I never 
gone,” she said, calmly. 

"Have you no heart, Genie? Something 
has changed you strangely within the last 
two years. You once had some confidence 
in my judgment.” 

Reproaches were usually very poor argu- 
ments to use with this young lady; but 
a consciousness of her inconsistency gave 
them power. She had changed within two 
years, — grown stronger in her purposes, 
wiser in her decisions ; but she was sadly 
weak, after all. For the next month her 
time was divided between her own home and 
that of Fred Randolph. She was sometimes 
cheerful, yet often gloomy, always fitful. 


232 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Fred regarded this state as the result of 
over anxiety, and fancied that impaired 
health affected her spirits. As for himself, 
Dr. Hall’s visits were thought no longer 
necessary. The old doctor occasionally 
made a call, half friendly, half professional, 
at which time some wine was drank, many 
stories told, and a small amount of advice 
given. 

Notwithstanding this, the mother insisted 
that her son was not yet able " to bear the 
crushing of his hopes.” "Wait until he is 
able to go out,” she said. 

The young man was impatient for the time 
when he could " go out,” although never was 
invalid upon whom more attention was be- 
stowed. He longed to breathe the bracing 
air, mount his favorite horse, and mingle 
with his old companions. 

Mr. Gore came up to tell him how much 
he was missed, and leave a bottle of his choic- 
est wine as proof of his regard. "This is 
the best medicine in the world, for a man in 
your condition,” he said. "There is nothing 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


233 


like it for giving tone and vigor to the 
system.” 

" I’ll take you for my medical adviser so 
long as I’m not very sick,” was the laughing 
reply. "But in a fever, commend me to the 
young doctor. He never gives up his pa- 
tients so long as there is any life left.” 

The landlord smiled faintly. Praises of 
Dr. Hall were getting to be most unwelcome ; 
the more so, since this gentleman had again 
remonstrated with him in regard to the busi- 
ness he was pursuing. 

The doctor had no desire to do this ; but 
the entreaties of a widowed mother prevailed. 
In his interview with Mr. Gore, he had no 
new arguments to offer ; he only repeated 
the words of lamentation to which he had 
himself listened. 

George Blake was the best singer in the 
village, leader of the choir, and director at 
all musical parties. He was also a skilful 
mechanic, commanding high wages, and pro- 
viding well for his mother, who was wholly 
dependent upon him. Following the exam- 


234 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


pie of those about him, and joining in their 
conviviality, he became a lover of intoxicat- 
ing drinks. He was not a drunkard ; that 
would be too harsh a term to apply to him ; 
but he sometimes neglected his business for 
days together, spending his time in riding, 
fishing, or rollicking with a set of jolly fel- 
lows. 

A few times in his life he had been intox- 
icated, but he usually drank only enough to 
produce a pleasurable glow of feeling, and 
never even so much as this, unless in com- 
pany. Upon one occasion, having taken a 
glass too much, he had publicly disgraced 
himself, and so mortified was he at this, that 
he vowed to drink no more for a year. 

His mother, long anxious, rejoiced, while 
his companions jeered. But ridicule was 
powerless. His pledge was unbroken. At the 
close of the year, while passing the Eagle 
House with two of his companions, one said, 
"Let us go in, come, your time is up. Celebrate 
your freedom.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


235 


"Not this evening,” was the reply. "I’m not 
sure but I shall swear off altogether.” 

"What’s the use.'” asked the first speaker. 

You may as well enjoy life as you go along.” 

"I believe I am enjoying life pretty well, 
as it is.” 

" W ell, no matter about that now. Come in 
and have a glass of wine.” 

"I have something else to do,” replied the 
young man, as he walked on, leaving his 
friends to enter the hotel. 

Mr. Gore had watched the trio from a 
window. " Why didn’t Blake come with you ? ” 
he asked. "I should think he’d be tired of 
drinking cold water by this time.” 

"He doesn’t seem to be,” was the reply. 
"He says he’s not sure but he shall swear off 
altogether.” 

This troubled the landlord. George Blake 
had been one of his most welcome guests, and, 
moreover, he was getting sensitive in regard 
to public opinion. It was worth an effort to 
lure him back. "Because he drank too much 
once, it is no sign he should never drink 


236 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


again,” he said, "I suppose we all believe in 
temperance ; I certainly do, for one ; but I am 
sorry to see people unreasonable.” 

The following week the ‘village choir was 
invited to meet at the Eagle House, and, of 
course, the leader was expected to be present. 
He hesitated a little, but finally decided to 
accept the invitation, confident of his own 
strength. Even should he see fit to drink a 
glass of wine, he was at liberty to do so, 
since he had bound himself by no new 
pledge. 

The evening arrived. There was quite a 
large party in addition to the choir, and 
everything moved on pleasantly. Refresh- 
ments were served, and with them wine, of 
which nearly all partook. George Blake, 
exhilarated with singing, urged by his com- 
panions, and still more by the demands of 
appetite, put the glass to his lips. 

Some exulted, but their exultation was 
soon turned to sorrow. One glass would not 
satisfy. Another and another was drained, 
until reason lost its sway. No one was 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


237 


willing that Mrs. Blake should see her son 
in such a condition, and a room was provided 
where he might sleep off the effects of the 
liquor. 

Morning came, and with it consciousness. 
Slowly the events of the preceding evening 
were recalled, and, before the village gave 
signs of waking from its sleep, George Blake 
returned home. He could not conceal the 
truth from his mother. She saw it all at a 
glance. 

" It is of no use to talk to me,” he said. 
" I know how miserable I have made myself. 
Fool that I was to go there ! My head must 
have grown weak, or I should have stopped 
when I had drunk one glass. I acted like 
an insane man.” 

Then he upbraided himself, while his 
mother listened hopelessly. 

And Mr. Gore, — what cared he? His 
plans had been well laid, and their success 
was all he could desire. But, for once, he 
had some regrets. He never intended that 
any man should become intoxicated in his 


238 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


house. It would injure its respectability, 
and this affair might be particularly discred- 
itable. He wished he had allowed George 
Blake to go on as he pleased. As for the 
mother, he never troubled himself about the 
family affairs of others. 

The " choir meeting ” was generally talked 
of, and, before night, Dr. Hall had heard the 
particulars of the wine-drinking. He had 
watched the young man closely during the 
preceding year, and was both grieved and 
indignant that he had thus fallen. 

" I’ve not the slightest doubt that the choir 
was invited there for the express purpose of 
getting George back to his old habits,” said 
the doctor to his wife. "Indeed, Charles 
Dunn told me that was the case, and he 
ought to know.” 

" Poor Mrs. Blake will be utterly prostrated 
by this,” he added. 

"I wish we could help her,” rejoined the 
wife. "I’d go to Mr. Gore myself, and ask 
him not to sell liquor to her son, if I thought 
it would do any good.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


239 


"No use in that,” was the reply. "Every 
word that is said about temperance only 
makes him more determined in his opposition, 
and he will sell liquor as long as he can find 
a customer. He cares little who suffers, if 
he only makes money.” 

"He deserves to be punished. I wish 
there was some law to reach his case.” 

"There is just the trouble, Annie. He is 
protected by law, instead of being punished. 
He has paid for a license, and has a legal 
right to pursue his business.” 

" I wonder why some wretch doesn’t buy a 
license to commit robbery. I should rather 
lose my money than my friends.” 

Mr. Gore would have thought this speech 
very foolish; all the more so from having 
been uttered by a woman ; but the good man 
who heard it smiled approvingly upon his 
enthusiastic little wife. "Rumsellers would 
be likely to receive their deserts, were you 
judge of the land ; but, as you are not, you 
had better call upon Mrs. Blake and give her 
the benefit of your sympathy.” 


240 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


"But you must do something yourself. 
Don’t let George Blake go on drinking. 
Why don’t you go over and talk with Mr. 
Manning? It is time for him to speak.” 

"Perhaps he wouldn’t speak on our side. 
What then, Annie?” 

"Convince him of his error, and convert 
him to the true faith. A Christian minister 
ought to talk on the side of temperance.” 

"I’m not sure but you can have the more 
influence. Perhaps you had better call at the 
parsonage on your way to Mrs. Blake’s.” 

"No, husband, I am not ambitious to try 
my skill in learned argument; but I really 
think you had better see Mr. Manning.” 

Upon consideration, the doctor accepted 
the suggestion of his wife, and started for the 
parsonage. 

Mr. Manning had been settled in this vil- 
lage for several years, and was universally 
beloved and respected. Both nature and 
circumstances had made him conservative, 
but he was a good man, and, once convinced 
of his duty, labored faithfully to perform it. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


241 


He had been a silent, but by no means 
indifferent, observer of the influences which 
had been at work, in his parish, upon the 
subject of temperance. But, condemning 
the excessive use of intoxicating liquors, and 
deploring the misery resulting therefrom, he 
was not yet convinced of the necessity of 
total abstinence. 

Dr. Hall stated frankly the object of his 
visit, and received a cordial welcome. " Per- 
has I shall not agree with you ; but I shall be 
glad to discuss the question,” said Mr. Man- 
ning. 

So the two seated themselves in the pleas- 
ant study, and talked calmly but earnestly 
of this great question. The doctor, consider- 
ing facts the strongest arguments, mentioned 
the names of several persons with whom 
moderate drinking was an impossibility. 
"They must abstain wholly, or drink to 
drunkenness,” he said. 

"There can be no question in regard to 
their duty,” replied Mr. Manning. " Such 
men should never taste *a drop of anything 
16 


242 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


which can intoxicate. But I cannot under- 
stand such a temperament.” 

" Probably not ; but we are obliged to be- 
lieve many things we never fully understand. 
Then you are willing to admit that total ab- 
stinence is necessary to some people ? ” 

" It must be, if you are right in your esti- 
mate of their powers of self-control.” 

"There is no mistake about that. They 
acknowledge it themselves.” 

"Then, why will they persist in drink- 
ing?” 

"For the same reason that men continue 
the practice of any other sin. It affords a 
momentary gratification, and the evil — ” 

"Allow me to interrupt you, doctor. Do 
you believe the use of intoxicating liquors to 
be a sin ? ” 

" Most certainly I do,” was the emphatic 
reply. "It is the great sin of the age.” 

Mr. Manning was silent, and his compan- 
ion waited for him to resume the conversa- 
tion. "I had never thought of it in this 
light,” he said, at length. "It is not a sin to 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


243 


eat and drink what is necessary for the sup- 
port of our bodies.” 

" Certainly not ; and whenever intoxicating 
liquor is necessary for such a purpose, the 
drinking of it will be no sin. But how 
many moderate drinkers have any such ex- 
cuse to offer? They drink because their 
appetite craves it, and not because they are 
made stronger or better by so doing. No 
man in health requires such stimulus, except 
upon extraordinary occasions, such as would 
occur but seldom in one’s lifetime.” 

"I believe I must appeal to facts, doctor. 
We have men in town who have drunk 
moderately, for thirty, forty, and a few for 
fifty years, but they are among our best citi- 
zens. They claim that they have lived 
longer and worked better for the use of 
stimulants.” 

" As they are ignorant of what they would 
have done under other circumstances, they 
are hardly qualified to make such an asser- 
tion. I undertake to say they would have 
been better men, better husbands and fa- 


244 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


tkers, and better citizens, had they never 
seen a drop of intoxicating liquor.” 

"You are ignorant of what they would 
have done under different circumstances,” 
said Mr. Manning, quoting the doctor’s own 
words. 

" True ; but I know some things they 
would not have done,” was the reply. 

"Please enumerate them.” 

" They would not, by their example, have 
encouraged intemperance ; and they would 
not have transmitted to their children viti- 
ated appetites and tendencies.” 

"I am sure those men have no thought of 
encouraging intemperance ; they despise a 
drunkard quite as much as you can.” 

" Then, why do they help to make drunk- 
ards ? They say drinking is respectable and 
beneficial.” 

" Not drinking to excess, doctor.” 

" Excess is a very indefinite term,” was the 
reply. "It means one thing with one person, 
and quite a different thing with another. 
There are drunkards in town who use less 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


245 


intoxicating liquor than some of our most 
respected citizens.” 

Mr. Manning could hardly accept that as- 
sertion ; but his companion knew whereof he 
affirmed. As the discussion proceeded, it 
became more animated, and the doctor waxed 
eloquent. He denounced wine-drinking as 
the fruitful source of drunkenness. "Do 
you suppose there is a man who frequents 
Dan Messer’s groggery, but would prefer 
wine and brandy to the cheaper liquor with 
which he is compelled to satisfy his appe- 
tite?” he asked. "There is not one.” 

After a time, the clergyman made no at- 
tempt to reply to either argument or asser- 
tion. He was only a listener. 

"Something must be done to save our 
young men,” said Dr. Hall, as he rose to 
take his leave. "I hope you will help me 
in the work.” 

"I will try to do my duty, doctor. If I 
have been wrong in this matter, I pray God 
to set me right.” 

Mrs. Hall had been at home more than an 


246 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


hour when her husband returned. " How did 
you find Mrs. Blake?” he asked. 

"As I expected, prostrated with grief,” 
was the reply. 

" Did you see George ? ” 

"No. His mother said he saw me coming, 
and left the room. But she thinks he would 
see you, and be influenced by you. She 
wishes you to go over and talk with him. 
And now tell me of Mr. Manning. Did he 
talk on our side ? ” 

" Not exactly ; but I have strong hopes that 
he will. He said he would give attention to 
the subject.” 

The next morning, Dr. Hall called at Mrs. 
Blake’s. The poor woman was, indeed, pros- 
trated with grief. George had not left the 
house since he entered it on his return from 
the hotel. He felt himself degraded and was 
unwilling to be seen. When persuaded to 
meet the doctor, he replied to his salutation 
without raising his eyes. 

" If I had stopped after taking one glass, 
there would have been no trouble,” he said, 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


247 


when somewhat reassured by the kind words 
of his friend. 

"Ah, George, you should have stopped 
before taking one glass. You should have 
abstained altogether.” 

"That is the truth, doctor. I wanted the 
second glass more than the first ; and now, 
if it was not for mother, I should be drunk 
before night.” 

"Your mother is not the only one who 
cares for you.” 

" She will be if I go on, and I am afraid I 
shall.” 

" Go on drinking liquor ! You cannot do 
that, George. Your life is worth too much 
for that.” 

"I tell you, doctor, you don’t know any- 
thing about this burning thirst for liquor. I 
never dreamed I had it until that evening at 
Gore’s. I found it out then, and there is no 
safety for me now,” exclaimed the young 
man, pacing the floor nervously. 

" Sign our total abstinence pledge and you 
will be safe,” was the reply. 


248 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" Sign it and break it ! Then I should be 
doubly guilty.” 

"But you would not break your pledge. 
You have too much honor for that.” 

"I don’t know. I shouldn’t intend to break 
it ; but temptation will be sure to meet me, 
and I am very weak. I believe in total ab- 
stinence. You are right in preaching that ; 
but you must get men to stop selling liquor 
before you’ll make any great headway.” 

" If they had no customers they would be 
obliged to stop selling.” 

"Yes; but no man ever sold liquor who 
did not make an effort to get customers. If 
anybody tries to be temperate, there’ll be 
some way contrived to make him drink.” 

George Blake realized his position, but 
could not be induced to sign the pledge. His 
mother followed their visitor to the door, and 
asked him to see Mr. Gore. "Tell him 
George is my only earthly stay, and entreat 
him not to let him have liquor. He has boys 
of his own ; implore him, by the love he has 
for them, to have mercy upon me.” Much 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


249 


more than this she said, each word expressive 
of fear or sorrow. 

" I will go to Mr. Gore ; but I fear it will 
do no good,” was the reply to her appeals. 
"He cares little for the hearts he is break- 
ing.” 

It would be useless to recount the particu- 
lars of this interview. The result was what 
the doctor expected. The landlord was only 
more determined "to sell as much liquor as 
possible.” 

It was but a few days after this that he 
called upon Fred Randolph. Upon taking 
his leave he expressed a hope that his might 
be the second house at which he would call. 
"I know I can’t expect to be first,” he said, 
with a laugh. 

The young man was glad to be left at 
liberty to resume the train of thought which 
had been interrupted by his visitor. " I wish 
I had that lost letter,” he said to himself. "I 
should know by that. If Genie loves me 
— ” He paused here, and mentally erased 
that little conditional word. He would not 


250 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


allow himself to doubt. She might be capri- 
cious, cold, and even unreasonable, but it 
must be that she loved him. 

Thus he reasoned, but a review of the past 
few weeks afforded small comfort to an exact- 
ing lover. "Did Genie wish to come here 
when I was first taken sick?” he asked his 
mother when she came into the room. 

"Why, Fred, what made you think of that? 
Your father went after her, and I never heard 
him say anything about it.” 

This gave him no satisfaction. "I wish I 
had that letter,” he sakhagaiu to himself ; and, 
with a slight hope that it might be found, he 
addressed a note to his companion in study, 
asking that any letters belonging to him 
might be forwarded immediately. 

In a few days a package was received, and 
with it a note containing the following sen- 
tences, — 

" One of these letters came to hand the day 
after you left ; but I judged from the post- 
mark that to remail it would be but ' sending 
coals to Newcastle.’ Perhaps its contents are 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


251 


of that description which never grow old. If 
so, I congratulate you.” 

Here was the letter he had been so anxious 
to see ; but now that it lay before him, he 
hesitated to open it. 

He had made his first visit at Mrs. Yane’s, 
and been treated with the utmost kindness. 
Yet, during that visit, despite all that was 
pleasant, he found himself wondering if Genie 
really loved him. 

This letter would give him some definite 
assistance. It was read. Yet still he won- 
dered. 

"I can never be your wife, Fred.” This 
was sufficiently explicit, but no reason was 
given for the decision. Only the concluding 
lines furnished a clue to what this might be. 
The reader resolved to know if his suspicions 
were correct ; but it was necessary for him to 
wait until the following day. 

Had the letter arrived an hour sooner, 
there might have been an awkward meeting in 
the parlor of Mrs. Vane. Esquire Randolph 
had a long interview with his ward, upon 


252 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


strictly private business, which business con- 
cerned his son more than himself, and the 
young lady more than either. 

"I should not be here, Genie,” he said, "if 
I did not believe that you really love Fred, 
and that your own happiness is at stake as 
well as his. Let us talk the matter over 
calmly, and remember, my dear girl, that I 
have your own best interest at heart.” 

Following this, to which Eugenia Yane 
made but short reply, was quite a lengthy 
argument to prove that wine-drinking was 
not only harmless, but beneficial. Then he 
asserted that wine-drinkers were in no dan- 
ger of becoming drunkards. 

"Isn’t that the way all drunkards com- 
mence?” asked the young girl. 

"No, indeed. Plenty of them commence 
and end with new rum.” 

"I suppose that is because they can’t afford 
to buy wine and brandy. But I am sure that 
a great many commence with drinking wine.” 

" I grant that some do ; but it does not fol- 
low that every wine-drinker will be a drunk- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


253 


arcl. There is our good minister, for instance, 
and myself, with a great many others I could 
name. We have always been temperate 
men.” 

.Genie bowed assent, and the ’squire hoped 

that point was settled. He had too much at 

stake to lose the least advantage. 

, © 

The agitation of the temperance question 
had made him more observant of the habits 
of those about him, his own family as well as 
others ; and he had sometimes thought that 
Fred, during his convalescence, indulged 
more freely in wine than was necessary. He 
feared, too, that the gratification of appetite 
had something to do with this ; and, although 
he would not for a moment harbor a fear in 
regard to the habits of his son, he considered 
it essential that his wife should be a woman 
of decided principles. 

In the course of the conversation Genie 
spoke of Mrs. Hosford, and of the poverty to 
which she had been reduced. 

"And do you fear such a future for your- 


254 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


self should you marry my son?” asked her 
guardian. 

" I certainly should fear it,” was the reply. 
"Mr. Hosford was only a wine-drinker.” 

"You shall be secure against any such fate. 
I will guarantee that, Genie.” 

"You cannot tell that, Uncle Randolph.” 

" I can make sure that you shall never want 
for anything which money can buy.” 

" Money will not buy happiness. I cannot 
be a drunkard’s wife.” 

" Why will you insist upon using that ex- 
pression in this connection? There is no 
possibility of such a fate being in store for 
you.” 

"I must make sure that there is not.” 

" What would you have ? ” at length asked 
the ’squire, somewhat impatiently. "Do you 
wish Fred to promise never to drink another 
glass of wine?” 

"No, Uncle Randolph. He would probably 
break the promise the first opportunity. I 
would have him know the contents of the let- 
ter he has never received.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


255 


" You must not tell him that. It will ruin 
him. Is there no voice in your heart which 
pleads for him ? ” 

"There is such a voice,” said the young 
girl, sadly. 

"Then listen to its pleadings.” 

"I dare not.” 

"But your influence, Genie. Think of 
that. Fred loves you too well to do anything 
which would make you unhappy.” 

Many a woman, trusting to such influence, 
has wrecked her happiness for time and eter- 
nity ; hut Eugenia Vane was firm. Only one 
concession did she make. She promised to 
keep silence in regard to the contents of the 
lost letter for one week longer. 

But the letter had already spoken for itself, 
and the next morning Fred Randolph visited 
the writer. Soon flattering himself that no 
want of affection had prompted the denial of 
his hopes, he fancied all scruples would be 
easily overcome. "Is it possible, Genie, that 
you have become such a fanatic upon this 
point?” he asked. "Why, three-quarters of 


256 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


the men in the country are no more temperate 
than I. When we are married I shall have 
no will but yours. If you say teetotal, then 
teetotal it shall be.” 

This was said lightly, and evidently intend- 
ed to settle the whole difficulty. But he soon 
found that, with his companion, this was a 
serious matter, something more than a girl’s 
whim, to be set aside with a word. He said 
many things which his father had said the pre- 
vious evening, but Genie was fortified against 
all. He then reproached her with having de- 
ceived him during the weeks of his sickness. 

" Why did you allow me to cherish a delu- 
sive hope?” he asked. "Why make yourself 
dearer, that the blow might be more severe?” 

" I could not help it, Fred ; indeed I could 
not,” she replied, weeping. "I know it was 
wrong, but — ” 

Here he made haste to comfort her ; con- 
demning himself for his harshness. He could 
easily believe that she had acted against her 
own judgment, and many things which had 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


257 


seemed strange to him were now easily under- 
stood. 

" Genie, darling, did I think as you do upon 
this matter of temperance, would you be my 
wife?” 

To this question Fred Randolph received 
such a reply as tempted him to forswear his 
cups on the instant. " Give me time to con- 
sider this,” he said ; " so slight a cause ought 
not to separate us.” 

Never until that morning had Eugenia Yane 
known how fondly she had loved this man. 
His dependence upon her during the weeks 
of his illness, the constant expression of his 
affection, and the tenderness he manifested 
for her even in his disappointment, — all in- 
creased her regard for him. 

Quick to see this, he allowed himself to 
hope against all assurance and left her with a 
smile upon his lips. 

Genie betook herself to solitude. She knew 
she had acted wisely ; but this thought could 
not still the clamorings of her heart. Some 
tears would flow, some regrets intrude them- 
17 


258 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


selves, and the struggle to regain composure 
was long and severe. 

Abstinence or intemperance, wine or water, 
seemed at this time to be the watchwords 
through the town. Previous to this, many 
good citizens had deplored the evils of drunk- 
enness, but few had taken the trouble to trace 
out its causes. "Weak-headed” was the term 
generally applied to those who " drank more 
than was good for them.” 

George Blake’s unfortunate fall gave a new 
impetus to the discussion, and there were 
many who said boldly that " the Eagle House 
was worse than Dan Messer’s any time.” 
The proprietor was troubled, and took counsel 
of his friend, Esquire Randolph. 

" This excitement will soon blow over,” was 
the comforting assurance ; but time proved 
that this was a mistaken prophecy. The per- 
sistent talking of Dr. Hall did much to keep 
the subject before the people, and startling 
events seemed every day occurring, which ad- 
ded force to his arguments. 

The ’squire had never been so much excited 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


259 


in regard to any public question, and not a 
drunkard in town but claimed him as " on our 
side.” An amusing incident, illustrative of 
this point is well worth relating. 

A group of men were gathered in the vil- 
lage store when Esquire Eandolph improved 
the opportunity to express his sentiments. 
In the crowd was a miserable drunkard, even 
then partially intoxicated, who listened ea- 
gerly and in various ways testified his admi- 
ration for the speaker. 

At length, when the gentleman closed his 
remarks, the poor drunkard, who fully en- 
dorsed what he had said, exclaimed, with the 
utmost coolness, "We know when we’ve 
drank enough, don’t we, ’squire?” 

The effect of this can be better imagined 
than described. Peal after peal of laughter 
filled the room, the discomfited " ’squire ” 
vainly trying to preserve an appearance of 
dignified indifference. 

It was a severe mortification, but none the 
less did he, at home and abroad, ridicule the 
idea of pledges and total abstinence. His son 


260 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


felt this influence, and resolved to win a bride 
by no unmanly concessions. 

Yet people remarked that his visits at the 
Eagle House were less frequent than formerly, 
and, upon a few occasions, he had been heard 
to talk temperance nearly as well as his father. 

Mr. Gore missed him ; but family matters 
were beginning to absorb his attention. 
"Husband, you had better look after Carl, a 
little,” said his wife. 

"Why what is the matter with the little 
Dutchman?” he asked, laughing. 

" The matter is that he drinks every drop 
of liquor that comes in his way,” was the re- 
ply. " It is impossible for me to keep wine on 
the sideboard or in the cupboard.” 

"He drank so much last night, that I had 
to help him to bed; and it wasn’t the first 
time,” added Ellis, the second son. 

The father remembered the words of Mrs. 
Hosford. Had retribution commenced ? He 
tried to persuade himself that the affair had 
been overstated. 

Carl, coming in, was questioned of his 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


261 


habits, and, like a spoiled child as he was, 
commenced crying. Proof was too strong to 
admit of denial, and he was forced to ac- 
knowledge that he sometimes drank out of 
the bottle and it made his head swim. 

" There isn’t a drunkard in town likes hard 
cider better than he does,” said Ellis, who, 
now that his brother was up for trial, deter- 
mined to tell the whole truth. 

Mr. Gore was startled, and commenced a 
severe reprimand, when he was interrupted. 
"I don’t drink all the wine,” said Carl; 
" Jotham and Ellis drink too.” 

"I have tasted of the wine, sometimes,” 
rejoined Ellis ; " but I never drink much ; not 
half what Carl does.” 

The landlord was called for in the bar-room. 
" I’ll attend to this when I have more time,” 
he said. "For the present remember that you 
are not to taste any kind of liquor. It never 
was made for boys to drink.” 

" I wonder if it’s any better for men than 
for boys,” said Carl, when the door was 


262 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


closed. "But ’t’was real mean for you to 
tell of me, Ellis.” 

" I shouldn’t said anything if mother hadn’t 
told first, and known you were pretty tipsy 
last night. You’ll be as bad as Bill Magoon 
if you don’t look out. I heard somebody 
say he was dead drunk before he was ten 
years old.” 

"Well, if liquor is such bad stuff, I don’t 
see what makes father sell it.” 

"You can’t be very bright if you don’t 
know the reason for that. He sells it to 
make money. ” 


vm. 


“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: n 
Thus runneth the proverb as spoken of old; 

Spoken in wisdom, dimly revealing 

A sorrow and anguish no words can unfold. 

It was a pleasant Sabbath in the early 
spring, when a large congregation had as- 
sembled in the village church, waiting to be 
taught the truths of God’s Holy Word. 

After the usual opening exercises, Mr. 
Manning announced the text for the morning 
service : " Proverbs, twelfth chapter and 
last verse.” 

Esquire Randolph always liked texts from 
Proverbs, — they were so practical. As may 
be inferred from the preceding pages, he was 
not a religious man, and had a fancy for ser- 
mons containing something of worldly wis- 
dom. He had just time to congratulate 

263 


264 ' THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

himself upon the prospect of hearing some- 
thing unusually interesting, when these words 
fell upon his ear : " Wine is a mocker, strong 
drink is raging ; and whosoever is deceived 
thereby is not wise.” 

Some of the congregation wondered that 
"the minister” should dare make such an 
assertion, even though it was first uttered by 
the wise man. Many thought it one of those 
passages which should be passed over in 
silence, while a few heard for the first time 
that there were such words in the Bible. 

Mr. Manning never apologized for preach- 
ing the truth, and no one would have supposed, 
from his manner, that he was presenting a 
subject calculated to rouse opposition. Calmly 
and deliberately, yet earnestly, was each word 
spoken. Heads were bowed, but there were 
no«sleepers ; eyes wandered, but the attention 
of all was firmly held. Well had the preacher 
redeemed his promise to give this matter 
prayerful attention. 

During the intermission, the merits of the 
sermon were freely discussed. " I don’t know 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


265 


nothing what to say about it,” replied good 
Deacon Field, whose opinion had been asked. 
"It was the Bible from beginning to end, and 
it won’t do to find fault with that. I rather 
guess, friends, that it’s time for us to find 
out our duty, and then do it.” 

Esquire Randolph had lost his faith in 
Proverbs, and was overheard saying to his 
wife that "clergymen should confine their 
preaching to the gospel. Everything else 
tends to produce dissatisfaction.” 

Mr. Gore, who prided himself upon being 
a constant attendant at church, thought of 
his boys through the whole sermon, and, at 
the close of the services, hastened home, with- 
out stopping to speak with any one. 

Dr. Hall, unfortunately, was obliged to 
visit patients that morning, so that he would 
have lost the sermon, had not his wife taken 
upon herself the duty of a reporter. " It is 
just what is needed,” she said. " Every man, 
woman, and child in town ought to have heard 
it. I couldn’t help wishing that Fred Kan- 
dolph had remained at home a few weeks 


266 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


longer. Mr. Manning’s words might have 
more influence than yours.” 

"There is need enough of it, if all stories 
are true,” was the reply ; " but his father’s 
influence will counterbalance all other.” 

That word influence served to recall a 
remark in the sermon which had before been 
forgotten, and which furnished a new start- 
ing-point for conversation. 

• The next day, Mr. Manning took occasion 
to call upon the doctor and thank him for 
having brought this subject to his immediate 
notice. "I shall not be surprised if the 
preaching of yesterday results in my dismis- 
sion ; but I shall never regret it, come what 
may. It is time, as you said, that something 
be done to save our young men ; you have 
worked almost alone ; now I will help you.” 

"I shall work better with your help, and I 
think you can count upon the support of a 
majority of your church,” said the doctor, 
who was himself a most exemplary member. 

He did not speak without knowledge. A 
majority of the church sustained their pastor ; 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


267 


but there was a minority who felt that a great 
mistake had been made in bringing this 
matter into the pulpit. 

Never since Mr. Manning’s settlement had 
there been so much said in regard to the 
preaching of the gospel. No subject would 
bear comparison with that, and nothing else 
must be allowed to usurp its place. Even 
Dr. Walton, who seldom attended a religious 
meeting of any kind, shook his head gravely 
while listening to a report of that sermon. 

But to one hearer it was a word fitly 
spoken. George Blake was still hesitating, 
sometimes yielding to temptation, and some- 
times resisting. It needed just that sermon 
to save him. Monday evening a new name 
was enrolled upon the total abstinence pledge, 
and Mr. Gore’s plans, in one direction, were 
thwarted. 

George Blake made no secret of what he 
had done ; aud two days after, as Dr. Hall 
was passing the home of Mrs. Halsey, she 
called after him to know if the good news 


268 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


was true. " Robert heard of it this morning, 
but I was afraid of some mistake.” 

"No mistake this time,” was the reply. 
"Our cause is gaining ground. We are a 
great ways in advance of where we were 
when we spent that night at Tim Allen’s.” 

" I know that ; but I’ve seen misery enough 
this last winter to make me feel almost dis- 
couraged. There’s John Hosford ; he grows 
worse and worse. I went over to see his 
wife yesterday, and, from my heart, I pity 
them all. That woman can’t live long as 
she is now. She works beyond her strength ; 
but that isn’t the worst of it. A heavy heart 
is worse than hard work.” 

"Did you see Mr. Hosford?” asked the 
doctor. 

" He was at work on some wood near the 
door when I drove up ; but that was all I saw 
of him. Robert says he is drunk more than 
half of the time. Gore must have a pretty 
large bill against him by this time; but I 
suppose he thinks he can take the cow and 
what hay there is.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 269 

Dr. Hall had not lost his interest in the 
tenants of the Ruggles Farm, and he knew 
their situation, perhaps, better than any one 
else. Mr. Hosford avoided him ; but to the 
other members of the family his visits were 
always welcome. He had thought of calling 
there on his way home, and Mrs. Halsey’s 
words decided him. 

He found Mrs. Hosford looking more worn 
and wretched than he had before seen her. A 
large pile of work was upon the table, and 
her children were seated around her, indus- 
triously braiding straw. "I am very glad to 
see you,” she said, as he entered ; but no 
smile of welcome lighted up her face. The 
children seemed more cheerful, and the 
younger ones chatted pleasantly with their 
friend, until, at a sign from her mother, Hat- 
tie called them to another room. 

"You will be tired of hearing my troubles, 
doctor,” said the unhappy woman; "but I 
have no one else to tell, and I shall die if I 
cannot speak.” 


270 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" Never fear my being tired,” was the re- 
ply. "Only tell me how I can help you.” 

" I don’t know as any one can help me ; but 
I must have some advice. I can never live 
through another three months like the past, 
and last night was more dreadful than all.” 
Here she paused, as though wanting strength 
for the recital. " Perhaps I ought not to tell 
you,” she said, hesitatingly. " I may tax 
your patience too severely.” 

" Tell me all, as you would tell a brother, 
and be assured of my sympathy,” said the 
listener. 

She resumed her story. "My husband 
was about home all day yesterday, and I 
knew he was entirely out of money. He 
asked me for some just before Mrs. Halsey 
came in, and I refused to give it to him. 
After she was gone, he commanded me to 
give him what money I had ; but I told him 
that he should never have the money I earn 
to spend for liquor.” 

" You were right in that,” said the doctor, 
emphatically. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


271 


" I know I was right ; but right is not al- 
ways the conqueror, as I have learned, to my 
sorrow. He was so cross that I sent the 
children upstairs out of the way, and he was 
so busy looking for the money that he didn’t 
mind it at first. But just after dark he 
called them all down, and told them not to 
stir from the room without his permission. 
They looked at me, but their father was so 
crazy with passion and thirst that I dared 
not interfere. When it got to be so late that 
no one was passing, he put them all out of 
doors, and told them if they made a noise he 
would certainly kill their mother. Then he 
ordered me to give up my money, and said 
the children should never come in until I did. 
I refused, although I knew they would suffer 
with the cold ; but, after an hour had passed, 
I could bear it no longer. I gave him every 
cent of money in my possession, and thus 
bought the privilege of caring for my chil- 
dren.” 

Dr. Hall had listened to many a sad story ; 


272 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

but this, told with great effort and half-stifled 
sobs, seemed to him saddest of all. 

" Where is Mr. Hosford ? ” he asked. 

" Gone to a neighbor’s to work this after- 
noon.” 

" Has he spent the money you gave him ? ” 

" I presume it was paid to Mr. Gore this 
morning. He went to the village early ; but 
I think he is somewhat ashamed of his con- 
duct, for he drank less than usual after his 
return, and he was sober when he left home. 
He had no liquor yesterday,” she added, in 
reply to a question asked by the doctor. 

" Would it be of any use for me to offer 
him the pledge ? ” 

" I am afraid not,” replied the wife. " He 
seems perfectly desperate. Nothing but the 
hand of God can arrest him. My remon- 
strances are worse than useless, and I must 
now do what is best for my children. I vol- 
untarily took upon myself the vows which 
bind me to my husband, and I recognize all 
their sacred obligations ; but I cannot see my 
children ruined.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 273 

"Do you propose to leave your husband? ” 
asked her friend. 

"I must leave him,” was the reply. "Death 
will soon separate us, unless there is some 
change in my life. I have tried to keep up 
strength and courage, but they are fast fail- 
ing me. I can work ; but I cannot endure 
this constant fear and apprehension. How 
shall I tell my husband?” 

Here was where she wished advice. She 
would do everything reasonable for his com- 
fort, but she must have a home for herself 
and children, uncursed by the presence of a 
drunkard. After some consultation in regard 
to what was best to be done, the children 
were recalled, and Dr. Hall took his leave. 

As he rode along, it was not strange that 
his thoughts should revert to this family, and 
that various plans for aiding them should be 
presented to his mind. But upon reaching 
home the whole matter was referred to his 
wife, who was sure the best thing would be 
to find a house for Mrs. Hosford near the 
village. 


18 


274 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


"We must save Mr. Hosford,” she ex- 
claimed, after a pause. " It will never do to 
turn him out upon the world without making 
another effort to reclaim him. I’ve a great 
mind to go down there myself, and talk to 
him. Would it do any good?” 

"I think not, and it might do harm. Wait 
until his wife and children are no longer in 
his power, and then you may talk to him as 
much as you please.” 

Mrs. Hosford was right in supposing that 
her hard-earned money was paid to the land- 
lord of the Eagle House. It was endorsed 
upon her husband’s liquor bill ; but there was 
a large balance still due. 

Mr. Gore had delayed urging the payment 
of this, or taking any measures to secure it. 
The liquor had been sold against such strong 
remonstrance that he was unwilling to have 
anything more said in regard to it. But Mr. 
Hosford could see that his presence was less 
welcome than it had been the first of the year, 
and he began to fear that he should be refused 
further credit. His excessive drinking had 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


275 


wholly unfitted him for labor, and there was 
no way for him to obtain money except from 
his wife. Hence the cruel measures to which 
he had resorted. 

Returning that evening from the house of his 
neighbor, he had some compunctions of con- 
science for his wickedness, and some feelings 
of shame for his unmanly conduct. But the 
moment he reached home he drowned these 
feelings in a potation of brandy, and was then 
prepared to re-enact the scenes *of the previous 
night, had circumstances tempted him. 

Mr. Manning’s sermon and George Blake’s 
pledge had been the topics of conversation 
during the afternoon ; and the memory of this, 
instead of having any good effect, only tended 
to irritate him. As usual with a drunkard in 
such a frame of mind, he vented' his spleen 
upon his unoffending wife and children. 

"O mother, let’s go away somewhere, and 
leave father,” said Hattie when he was, at 
last, asleep. "I’m afraid he’ll kill us all.” 

"We will go, darling,” was the reply. 

They did go. The long-suffering love of 


276 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


woman could endure no more ; and kindly, 
yet firmly, Mrs. Hosford told her husband of 
her decision. This was done at a time when 
he was partially sober, and he uttered no re- 
proaches. ”1 don’t blame you,” he said, after 
a short pause. w I have dragged you down 
low enough. Take th$ children and do with 
them as you please. I have no right to the 
name of husband or father.” 

"O John, if you would only give up drink- 
ing we might yet be happy ! ” said the wife, 
her heart moved to tenderness. 

" I know we might, but it is useless to ex- 
pect it. I came here resolved to retrieve my 
life ; but I have failed. It is too late now to 
think of reform.” 

This man realized his degradation, and 
acknowledged its cause ; but these words had 
scarcely died upon his lips when he turned 
again to the maddening drink. 

If Mrs. Hosford had any misgivings in re- 
gard to her proposed course, this banished 
them, and preparations for a change of homes 
were made as speedily as possible. A house 


THE TEMPERANCE f>OCTOR. 


277 


near the village was rented, and the scanty 
furniture packed. 

Whatever were the husband’s plans, he said 
nothing in regard to them ; but his wife was 
still mindful of his comfort. She worked 
through the whole night to put his clothes in 
the best possible order. Then food was pre- 
pared, sufficient to last him for several days, 
and a bed left upon which he could rest. 

The moving was over, thanks to Robert 
Halsey, and Mrs. Hosford was comfortably 
settled. Mr. Gore had been an interested 
observer of this change, and even drove down 
to the Ruggles Farm to make some inquiries. 
The cow was just being led from the barn, 
and to his astonishment he was told that it 
belonged to Dr. Hall. 

" And the hay ? ” 

" That goes with the cow,” was the reply. 

The shrewd landlord had been outwitted, 
and no one enjoyed the discomfiture more than 
his brother rumseller, Dan Messer. "Served 
him right,” was Dan’s verdict. "Glad of it. 
I know how he manoeuvres to get custom. 


278 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Guess he didn’t make much out of that 
job.” 

"Pretty good liquor he lost, too,” said an 
old toper. " Hosford don’t drink any of your 
mean stuff. He’s a gentleman ; drinks with 
the ’squire and talks Latin.” 

"Just as good as the ’squire, too,” responded 
Dan. " The Lord made him up so he can’t 
drink liquor so coolly ; that’s all the difference.” 

" Whew ! ” said one of the bystanders. 
"’Twon’t do to talk that in this town. The 
’squire’s a respectable man, but he got a little 
too much sermon last Sunday. They say 
Parson Manning has gone into partnership 
with the Temperance Doctor. We shall have 
hot work now. Lucky you’ve got your 
license, Dan.” 

"Perhaps so. Any way, I think more of 
Mr. Manning than I did last week. I never 
did believe in drinking Christians. The doc- 
tor’s one of the right sort. Preaching and 
practice go together with him.” 

"His preaching don’t seem to have much 
effect upon you.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


279 


" That’s more than you know,” was the re- 
ply, as the speaker turned away. 

Dr. Hall’s preaching had produced an effect 
upon Dan Messer. True', he had not given 
up his business, but his opinion had been 
greatly modified since the temperance meeting 
when he announced his determination to sell 
liquor to all who wanted it. There . were 
some men to whom he utterly refused to sell. 
Dick Stratton had begged and implored in 
vain for only one drink. "I’ll not help you 
kill your wife, now your children are all 
gone,” said Dan. 

Mrs. Hosford had been in her new home 
for a week when she was told that her hus- 
band had left town. One of their neighbors 
had carried him about two miles to take the 
stage. It was a great comfort to know thus 
much, — -to be sure that she would not be 
troubled by his presence. 

She never expected to be happy in her 
worse than widowed condition, but the 
cheerfulness of her children did much to 
soften her grief. Friends proffered sympathy 


280 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


and assistance, while the avails of her labor 
were sufficient to meet the wants of her fami- 
ly. She gained the respect and esteem of the 
whole community, even of those who were at 
first disposed to censure her. 

Only one person in the village was troubled 
by her presence. This was Mr. Gore. He 
never saw her without wishing he could roll 
back the wheels of time, and live over again 
that New Year’s morning when he had tempted 
her husband to his ruin. 

Evil had come to him since then. The 
prophecy of the drunkard’s wife tended to its 
fulfilment. Little Carl, the brightest and 
dearest of those who called him father, had 
more than once been seen thoroughly intoxi- 
cated. In vain had he expostulated, repri- 
manded, and punished. Carl would and did 
drink any kind of liquor that came in his 
way. 

" The boy must have a natural taste for it,” 
said Mr. Gore to his wife ; and he spoke the 
truth, yet without comprehending its full 
force. This taste had come to his son by 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


281 


direct inheritance ; but circumstances had 
developed it and given notice of its presence. 

He had always been allowed to " sip a lit- 
tle,” and the father had often laughed to see 
the evident relish with which he drained the 
nearly empty glasses that were offered him. 
During the days of weakness succeeding that 
in which he had nearly lost his life by drown- 
ing, wine was given him almost constantly, 
Dr. Walton assuring the parents that it was 
just what he needed. 

At first the knowledge of this infirmity was 
confined to his family, but after a time it was 
whispered among his school-mates. Clarence* 
Vane, who had a peculiar interest in this boy 
whose life he had saved, learned it from his 
own conversation. He attempted to reason 
with him and warn him of his danger ; but he 
was too young to comprehend it. " Don’t you 
like wine, Clarence?” he asked. 

"Yes, just as well as you do,” was the re- 

ply- 

"Then why don’t you drink it?” 

"Because it will make me a drunkard.” 


282 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


"That’s just what father says,” responded 
the boy; "but he sells it all tt^e time, and I 
guess it won’t hurt me much. When I get 
big enough to pay money for it he won’t 
care.” 

Thus Carl reasoned. The father’s precepts 
had little influence so long as his example 
destroyed their force. Commands were dis- 
obeyed and entreaties slighted. 

This was a case in which Mr. Gore sought 
no counsel. Neither physician nor lawyer 
were summoned to the rescue. Mr. Man- 
ning’s sermon, every word of which he ac- 
cepted as truth, went straight home to his 
conscience, suggesting a way of escape from 
the ruin which threatened him. But his love 
of money was strong, and pride rebelled at 
the thought of yielding to the " temperance 
mania.” 

After the sermon, came the lesson at the 
Buggies Farm ; and then the pale face of Mrs. 
Hosford must sometimes meet him, eloquent 
with a dumb reproach. Esquire Randolph 
was a less frequent visitor in his bar-room, 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


283 


and, when there, often seemed preoccupied 
and moody. 

As Dr. Hall had said, the cause of tem- 
perance was gaining ground, although oppo- 
sition still flaunted its banners and made 
brave show of resistance. The women of 
the town, as a body, gave their influence in 
favor of total abstinence. 

Yet here and there one might be found, 
whose broken health had been so long sus- 
tained by stimulants, that their use seemed a 
necessity ; while others hesitated to acknowl- 
edge that danger could lurk in the social 
glass. 

A few, a very few, were drunkards ; dis- 
gracing the holy names of wife and mother, 
and giving birth to children, who, without 
the intervention of an almost miraculous 
providence, must prove a curse to themselves 
and to the world. 

Dr. Hall sometimes met these women in 
the course of his practice ; but they turned a 
deaf ear to his representations and appeals. 
"I’ve just as good a right to drink as my 


284 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


husband has,” said one. " It’s all the com- 
fort I have.” 

"But your children.” 

"They must learn to take care of them- 
selves. I’ve had trouble enough with ’em 
as it is.” 

Mrs. Halsey was a self-appointed commit- 
tee to visit two of these drunkards with 
whom she had a slight acquaintance ; but her 
efforts seemed entirely lost upon them. "I 
suppose they think they’ve seen the last of 
me on this business, but they’ll find them- 
selves mistaken,” she said while reporting her 
want of success to Mrs. Hall. "I shall go 
again before summer is out. There is noth- 
ing like persevering in a good cause.” 

Through all, no one officially remonstrated 
with Mr. Manning in regard to his sermon. 
There was some dissatisfaction ; but, on the 
whole, the preacher received more praise than 
blame. It was expected that Esquire Kan- 
dolph would be loud in his condemnation, 
and, perhaps, withdraw his support from the 
society ; but he pursued an entirely different 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


285 


course. After a plain, but not unfriendly 
talk with his pastor, he was content to let the 
subject drop. Truth to tell, the ’squire had 
interest nearer home to engross his thought. 
He was disappointed and anxious. Eugenia 
Vane had proved unyielding, and Fred Ran- 
dolph was a rejected lover ; rejected, too, for 
"a mere difference of opinion.” It is possi- 
ble, that at this juncture of affairs, the right 
influence from his father might have won him 
to a life worthy of her whose hand he sought. 
Wanting this, he returned to the city, his 
heart beating tumultuously with wounded 
pride and unconquered affection. 

Many in his position would have professed 
a change of sentiments they did not feel, and 
an abstinence they did not practise. He was 
too honorable for this, and had he attempted 
the deception, he would probably have failed ; 
for she with whom he had to deal was quick 
to detect a counterfeit. He had thought that 
the strength and ardor of his love would over- 
come all scruples on the part of its object, 
and, when convinced of his error, was glad to 


286 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


escape from everything which reminded him 
of the delusive dream. He was very unhap- 
py ; life seemed to have lost its zest ; but he 
still grasped the wine-cup. 

Not alone did he suffer. Mrs. Yane found 
that the excitement of the winter had told 
severely upon the health and spirits of her 
daughter. Their home no longer echoed with 
her merry laughter, and the voice of song 
was hushed. She complained of weariness, 
and this was sometimes accompanied with a 
nervous irritability quite unnatural to the 
happy-tempered girl. 

As the spring advanced, this had increased 
until Dr. Hall was summoned. As a friend, 
he had noted her varying moods, and judged 
rightly that the body but sympathized with 
the mind. 

"Well, Genie, I suppose I must discover 
whether your disease is located in heart, 
lungs, or liver; so, if you have any definite 
knowledge upon the subject, you will save 
both time and trouble by enlightening me.” 

This was said lightly, and Genie made an 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


287 


effort to reply in the same tone ; but her voice 
failed her, and her eyes filled with tears. 

"This will never do. We must have 
smiles, not tears,” said the doctor, more 
gravely ; and then followed a half-hour’s con- 
versation, through all of which he watched 
his companion narrowly. 

At its close, he prescribed a simple tonic, 
with plenty of out-door exercise. " To make 
sure of the exercise, I shall take you out 
myself every pleasant day, and I shall expect 
to find you a very entertaining companion.” 

The doctor was a little in the dark in re- 
gard to this case. He was sure his young 
friend had made a decision that would affect 
her whole life ; but, so well had she guarded 
her secret, he was ignorant of what this de- 
cision had been. 

He ventured to ask Mrs. Yane if Genie 
was engaged to Fred Randolph? "I should 
not presume to ask the question under other 
circumstances,” he said, by way of apology. 

The answer being given, he could easily 
account for her present state, and was able 


288 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


to speak decidedly. "There has been too 
great a draft upon her sympathies, and an 
over-tension of the nerves ; but this will be 
soon remedied by proper treatment. She 
needs to have her time fully occupied with 
some pleasant employment. I’ll send Annie 
over to see her this afternoon.” 

Annie went, and carried with her an 
atmosphere of such cheerfulness that Genie 
assumed something of her old manner, and 
laughed merrily at the witty sallies of her 
visitor. 

The doctor’s prescriptions were faithfully 
carried out. There was no lack of walking, 
riding, or cheerful occupation; and his pa- 
tient welcomed the incoming of summer with 
improved health. 

Clarence was spending his last term in the 
village academy, studying early and late to 
make sure of passing a creditable examina- 
tion. Mrs. Vane had always intended that 
Genie should spend at least one year in some 
seminary, where she could have advantages 
not afforded by their home school. Regard 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


289 


for the welfare of her brother had delayed 
her leaving home, and, now that he was 
going, it was judged best that she should 
resume her studies in the autumn. 

Her guardian was consulted; but he pre- 
ferred to express no opinion in regard to the 
matter. Without positive unkindness, he 
made her to feel that she had lost her old 
place in his regard ; and she sometimes hesi- 
tated to address him by the endearing title he 
had himself taught her. 

The events of the last few months had 
changed the relation of the families, and, 
although so well concealed as to be apparent 
only to themselves, it was a source of grief 
to Mrs. Yane and her children. Mrs. Kan- 
dolph had loved them all too well to cast 
them out of her heart because Genie refused 
to take a dearer name ; but the disappoint- 
ment had a marked influence upon her con- 
duct. Without intending it she gave them a 
less cordial welcome to her home ; and there 
was a constraint in her manner to which they 
were wholly unaccustomed. 

19 


290 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Plans for the future of Clarence were no 
longer discussed with freedom and animation, 
while Genie’s preparations for leaving home 
elicited few remarks. Esquire Randolph 
scrupulously performed all duties devolving 
upon him as guardian ; but the fatherly inter- 
est was wanting. 

Genie felt this keenly, and ventured, upon 
one occasion, to express her sorrow. 

"Are you really sorry? Do you regret 
what you have done?” he asked, looking at 
her closely. 

"I am sorry that I have incurred your 
displeasure,” was the reply. "It almost 
breaks my heart to have you and auntie so 
estranged from me.” 

"Then come back to us, and take your old 
place. Recall your cruel words, and make 
us all happy. No one will love you as we 
have loved you.” 

Again the trial. For a moment she wa- 
vered; but only for a moment. "I have 
never wished to leave you, but T could not 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


291 


do differently from what I have done,” she 
answered, sadly. 

" And you persist in your determination?” 

"I must,” was the reply. 

" Then, if Fred is ever what you profess to 
fear he will be, you must answer for it. 
There are but few young men who would not 
become reckless under such circumstances. 
But you shall never have reason to complain 
of my indifference to the trust your father 
placed in my hands.” 

This conversation but increased her unhap- 
piness. Was she responsible for the future 
of Fred Randolph? If he made a wreck of 
his life, would the guilt lie at her door? 

Some particulars of Fred Randolph’s col- 
lege life, detailed by Clarence, answered 
these questions to her entire satisfaction. 
Rumor had not exaggerated his excesses, and 
his life as a law student was still more open 
to censure. Surely, she had no responsibility 
in this. No "cruel words” of hers had 
driven him to this recklessness. 

The past gave warning of the future ; and 


292 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

the father might talk as he pleased of mod- 
eration; while he asserted again and again 
that wine-drinking was beneficial, yet there 
was an unspoken fear in his heart. 

The wheels of time stayed not. Midsum- 
mer was upon them. The examination was 
over, and Clarence returned with Selwyn 
Barnes. He had "passed gloriously,” and 
was in jubilant spirits. Genie caught some- 
thing of his gladness, and allowed her 
thoughts to drift from the painful subject 
which had so long engrossed them. 

About three weeks before she was to leave 
home, Fred Randolph came from the city, 
having neither the looks nor appearance of a 
despairing lover. A friend accompanied him, 
and he seemed bent upon displaying the 
brightest side of country life. Never had the 
young people been so gay, and never were 
amusements better planned or more heartily 
carried out. 

The first evening after his arrival, he, with 
his friend, called at Mrs. Vane’s, where they 
received a cordial welcome. A slight em- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


293 


barrassment in Genie’s manner, which, at the 
most, was visible to but one, soon passed 
away, and she chatted with her old playmate 
as gayly as ever. 

Clarence appeared his best; Mrs. Yane 
was entertaining, as usual. "Mrs. Yane, I 
wonder if my old invitation still holds 
good,” said Fred Randolph, as he rose to 
take his leave. "When I was a boy, you 
told me I might come here at any time. Is 
that permission, or invitation, as I chose to 
consider it, outlawed?” 

"Not outlawed,” was the reply, "but I will 
now renew it, and extend it to your friend.” 

This nice little piece of strategy had been 
successful, and the success was acknowledged 
gracefully. It was worthy the old ’squire 
himself. There was no turning back for a 
last word with Genie, nothing to indicate that 
she held his heart in her keeping. 

So guarded was he that the young girl 
herself wondered if he had ceasecj to love 
her. 

Had Fred Randolph known this, his tri- 


294 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

umph would have been complete. Without 
the knowledge, he was satisfied in having 
established himself as a visitor on the old 
footing, and felt that an important point had 
been gained. 

" Moon-struck, Randolph? Here I have 
been talking to you for the last five minutes, 
and never a word in reply.” 

This was said by Hal Somers, as the two 
were walking home from that evening call. 

" Talking to me ! ” was the laughing reply. 
" I thought you were rhapsodizing for your 
own entertainment. I never dreamed that 
you expected any reply.” 

"Pshaw! I don’t believe you know one 
word I have been saying. Why didn’t you tell 
me what an angel there was hidden up here ? 
You would never have been obliged to urge 
my coming, unless — Say, Randolph, have 
you any intentions in that quarter? Because 
if you have, speak now, or ever after hold 
your peace.” 

"There, Somers, you must be quite ex- 
hausted. Don’t do anything rashly. There 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


295 


are several pretty girls in town, and in due 
time you shall see them.” 

In the two weeks Fred Randolph spent at 
home, not a day passed in which he did not 
see Eugenia Vane, yet no allusion was made 
to any conversation which had transpired be- 
tween them the previous winter and spring. 

Excursions were made to nearly every 
place of interest in the vicinity, and, to 
crown all, a grand picnic at Oak Bend was 
proposed. Everybody was invited, and 
everybody was glad to accept the invitation. 

In the rides that had been so much enjoyed, 
there had been none of the usual " pairing 
off.” Sometimes the ladies had occupied 
open carriages, escorted by the gentlemen on 
horseback, and sometimes all had found seats 
in large wagons, — a merry crowd, with no 
opportunity for sentiment or love-making. 

Fred Randolph had inaugurated this new 
order of things because it suited his own 
purpose ; but, as the picnic at Oak Bend was 
to take place the day before his return to the 
city, he chose to be somewhat more exclusive. 


296 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Hal Somers found himself left alone for a 
while in the morning ; and when his friend 
returned, it was to say that he should drive 
down with Genie Vane. 

"I have provided a team for you, and you 
may provide yourself with company.” 

" Magnanimous, truly! Why didn’t you 
tell me that two hours ago?” 

" My plans were not then matured,” replied 
Fred Randolph, with a laugh. "There’s Lou 
Shafton — ” 

"Yes,” interrupted his companion, "and 
there was Genie Yane. I’ve suspected you 
all the time. But you have a cool way of 
manifesting your preference. It wouldn’t be 
quite to my taste if I were a young lady. 
However, I’ll not quarrel with you. So here 
goes ; ” and Hal Somers started for the vil- 
lage, where he found Lou Shafton ready to 
accept his invitation. 

Fred Randolph smiled bitterly when left 
alone. This cool manner, which he had com- 
pelled himself to assume, was most irksome ; 
but thus far it had served him well. It was 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


297 


a part of his plan that Genie should appear 
with him at Oak Bend. 

The whole village was in commotion. 
There was shouting in the streets and gossip- 
ing in the kitchens. Everywhere prepara- 
tions were being made for the picnic. Cler- 
gyman, doctor, and landlord, all were going. 

It was a matter of some interest how all 
these men, women, and children were to 
find conveyance. Every horse that could go 
must go, and every carriage must be filled to 
its utmost capacity. 

Eugenia Yane had accepted Fred Ran- 
dolph’s invitation without a thought of the un- 
pleasant position in which she might be placed, 
or the misunderstanding to which it might 
give rise. Indeed, she did not think at all in 
regard to it. Fred had entered the sitting- 
room in his old, familiar way, and, after chat- 
ting a few minutes, asked her, as though it 
was a matter of course, that she would go 
down with him. She assented without hesi- 
tation and without thought. 

Clarence was indignant ; the more so, since 


298 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Selwyn Barnes called to offer himself as her 
escort. Several times was she obliged to say 
that a way had been provided for her, and 
every time this was repeated, she regretted 
the necessity. 

Soon after noon the cavalcade commenced 
moving, the older people making an early 
start, that they might be ready to return " in 
good season,” and the younger ones following 
their example, that they might have a longer 
time to remain. 

It was a drive of five miles from the village 
to the Bend, over a smooth, level road fol- 
lowing the windings of the river. Half the 
pleasure of the afternoon was crowded into 
that short drive ; and, once on the way, no 
one seemed in haste. 

Only a few were late, and, last of all, were 
Fred Randolph and Eugenia Yane, who came 
up after every one else was upon the ground. 
Hal Somers and Lou Shafton, who had been 
there a full hour, assailed the new-comers 
with a torrent of questions in regard to their 
tardiness. From these Genie made her es- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


299 


cape, leaving Fred to answer as he pleased ; 
and if any one was the wiser for his replies, 
it certainly was not his fault. 

No spot could be better adapted for a pic- 
nic than the one which had been chosen. As 
the name indicated, it- was at the bend of the 
river. Here the waters made a sudden 
turn, rushing swiftly past an almost per- 
pendicular cliff. Crowning this cliff, were 
some old, widely branching oaks; and under 
their shade, where the grass grew greenest 
and freshest, the party was assembled. 

Beauties of earth and sky conspired to ren- 
der the scene delightful. Under its inspiring 
influence the gravest waxed merry, and the 
saddest grew cheerful. Groups of old and 
young, drawn together by that secret sympa- 
thy, so universally acknowledged, but never 
explained, were scattered here and there ; 
'some in the deep shadows of the neighboring 
wood, and others seated upon the green 
sward. 

Eugenia Vane alone seemed not to find her 

o 

place. She flitted from young to old, from 


300 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


sunshine to shadow, coming to all as a vision 
of beauty. 

" Genie Vane is outshining herself this af- 
ternoon,” said an old man to Dr. Hall. 
"Fred Randolph wins the brightest and the 
best. May the light of her eyes never be 
quenched in tears ! ” 

The doctor turned to look at her. The 
light in her eyes gleamed and flashed like a 
brilliant flame, magnetizing all upon whom it 
fell ; but this friend, who allowed no mood 
of hers to escape his notice, saw in it the un- 
rest of a troubled heart. Some one called 
his attention, and when he looked for her 
again, she was not to be seen. Singing was 
proposed, and then her name was called ; but, 
Fred Randolph being also missing, no search 
was made for her. 

"More pleasantly employed than in sing- 
ing,” said one, as George Blake gave the 
signal for commencing the "out-door con- 
cert.” 

Eugenia Vane was at that moment half- 
way down the clilf, resting upon the trunk of 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


301 


an old birch-tree, whose roots, fast bound to 
the face of the rock, and reaching into every 
fissure, managed to draw sustenance from the 
scanty soil. In its struggles to reach up- 
ward, it had formed a natural seat, wholly 
screened from observation, and this was oc- 
cupied by our heroine. 

There had been a general order, given early 
in the afternoon, that no one should attempt 
to descend the cliff. It was a somewhat dan- 
gerous feat, as, by a single misstep, one 
might be precipitated into the river below; 
but Genie had often made the descent with 
her brother, and had no fears. Some impulse 
of restlessness moved her to the attempt; 
and, moreover, she longed for solitude. 

The singing above her had ceased, and she 
heard preparations making for supper, when 
she left her seat to join her companions. 
Sure of foot, and strong of limb, the ascent 
had never seemed difficult; but now, at al- 
most the first step, she faltered and turned 
back. Again she started, but grew faint and 
dizzy. Clasping her arms about the old tree, 


302 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


and closing her eyes to shut out the sight of 
the depths below, she tried to combat this 
feeling and reason herself into firmness. 
Yain effort! Her hold- upon the tree was 
gradually relaxing, when a manly form stood 
beside her, and a strong arm sustained her. 

" I am so glad it is you,” she whispered, 
with white lips, looking up into the face of 
Selwyn Barnes, and the next moment she lay 
helpless in his arms. 

Another might claim her, but there she be- 
longed only to him, and he watched with 
half-suspended breath for signs of returning 
consciousness. Even then he thanked God 
that it was his arm that had saved her, and 
that she owed her life to him. 

" How foolish I have been ! ” she said, when 
she found voice to speak. "I never thought 
of danger in coming here ; but, to save my 
life, I could not go up this afternoon. Every- 
thing goes wrong to-day. I have made both 
you and myself a great deal of trouble.” 

"Do I look troubled?” he asked, with a 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


303 


smile so bright as to provoke a laugh in re- 
ply, and thus save a flood of tears. 

"Looks are not always a true index to one’s 
feelings. But you are certainly burdened if 
not troubled.” 

" There again you are mistaken,” he re- 
plied. "However, we will waive discussion 
till the good time coming.” 

"When our feet are planted on a firmer 
foundation,” added Genie. "And now let 
me try my strength. I am anxious to relieve 
you.” 

He was not anxious, but he allowed her to 
make the trial. She found herself not so 
strong as she had thought, and was still 
obliged to keep near the old tree. 

" Let us try going down instead of up,” 
said the young man at length. " It will require 
less effort and with the water so low, we can 
easily pass the bend upon the sand.” 

Ten minutes after, Eugenia Vane was busi- 
ly engaged in unpacking the baskets sent by 
her mother and Mrs. Randolph, and no one 


304 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


but Selwyn Barnes knew that her feet had 
just touched the borders of the grave. 

For the first time in the history of the 
town there was a cold-water picnic. Not a 
drop of liquor Fad been carried to the Bend 
that day. Mr. Manning had refused to taste 
of wine ; the doctor would as soon touch poi- 
son ; and the young ladies were beginning to 
talk strongly of total abstinence. With all 
this opposing influence, not even Mr. Gore 
presumed to carry his usual contribution. 

Supper was no sooner over than some 
began to prepare for returning home, and the 
sun was not quite hidden behind the western 
hills when the last carriage had left Oak Bend. 

Hal Somers was smoking on the piazza 
when his friend drove up. "Whew!” he 
exclaimed. " I didn’t expect you at present. 
Lou Shafton has told me the whole story of 
your affairs, and I congratulate you, if you 
have been so confounded private about it.” 

Fred Randolph was out of hearing long 
before the close of this speech, and, when he 
came leisurely back, was whistling. "Hap- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR . 


305 


py, I should judge. Well, you’ve a right to 
be,” said the occupant of the piazza. 

" Suppose we go in and take a glass of 
wine,” said Fred. " I must confess that cold- 
water picnics are not quite to my taste. Our 
young doctor has turned the heads of this 
community ; but I am not quite converted to 
his theory.” 

Hal Somers, having no particular desire 
for the liquor, and not caring to injure him- 
self for the sake of pleasing another, drank 
sparingly, but Fred Randolph made ample 
amends for the abstinence of the afternoon. 
They separated, to meet at an early breakfast 
the next morning, when the whole house was 
astir to speed the parting guests. 

At last the visit was over, the stage rolled 
away with its burden, and those who were 
left behind had time for serious thought. 

The picnic had been a success, giving en- 
tire satisfaction. Dr. Hall was particularly 
pleased, on account of its cold-water charac- 
ter. There had been wit without wine, and 
20 


306 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


jollity without drunkenness. Temperance 
was in the ascendant. 

His wife was so elated that she prophesied 
a general reform. "It wouldn’t be strange 
if the ’squire himself should become teetotal. 
Then Mr. Gore would feel obliged to give up 
selling liquor, and Dan Messer would close 
his groggery. The millennium would come 
speedily if all intoxicating drinks were ban- 
ished from the world.” 

"I believe you, Annie. Drinking, both 
moderate and immoderate, does much to re- 
tard the progress of religion. It blunts the 
sensibilities, and drowns the voice of con- 
science.” 

"I fully agree with you, doctor,” said a 
pleasant voice. " Your door stood invitingly 
open, and I have taken the liberty to enter 
without ceremony.” 

"Good-morning, Mr. Manning; glad to 
see you,” was the hearty response. "I am 
quite at leisure this morning ; so Annie and I 
have been discussing the prospects of the 
community.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


307 


"Mrs. Hall must be sanguine. I am quite 
sure I heard something about the millennium.” 

"I am always sanguine,” she replied. "I 
look on the bright side ; ” and away tripped 
the happy wife, leaving the gentlemen to 
themselves. 

" I believe the dissipation of yesterday has 
unfitted me for study,” said Mr. Manning. 
"My thoughts would wander, despite my 
best efforts.” 

"Pleasure is not necessarily dissipation,” 
replied the doctor. " I flatter myself we had 
none of the latter at Oak Bend.” 

"You are right. I stand corrected. Our 
young people are improving. You must feel 
well repaid for your labors.” 

" I am certainly encouraged. Drinking is 
not so popular as it was a year ago ; people 
are thinking seriously upon the subject, but 
much remains to be done. Some of the 
strongest men in the community are opposed 
to us, — Esquire Randolph, for instance.” 

"Yes, I had a talk with him last week. 
He still believes in liberty and moderation, 


308 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


and regrets that I have left the old paths. I 
only wonder I walked in them so long. But 
here is business for you, and I will walk on.” 

"Well, doctor, I don’t suppose you ex- 
pected to see me this morning, and I didn’t 
expect you would; but I’ve met with an 
accident, and come to you for repairs.” 

This was said by Dan Messer, as he was 
getting out of a wagon at Dr. Hall’s door. 
His left hand and arm were clumsily ban- 
dagecl, and his face was ghastly pale. 

" What is the trouble ? ” asked the doctor. 

" I was helping unload a barrel of liquor, 
when it slipped and came down on my arm. 
I managed to hold it back a little, but I guess 
I shall have to do with one hand the rest of 
my life. I suppose ’twould have been just 
the same if the barrel had been full of cold 
water.” 

By this time the injured hand and arm 
were exposed, and a painful examination 
commenced. 

"Not so bad as you expected,” said the 
doctor. " I think I can save your hand ; but 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


309 


you will be obliged to suffer a good deal of 
pain.” 

Bones were broken, and flesh badly lacer- 
ated, so that the dressing was a tedious pro- 
cess. "Guess you’ve done that job pretty 
well,” said Dan when the last bandage was 
secured. " The old doctor went by just after 
I was hurt ; but I wouldn’t have him touch 
me. He might be half drunk for anything I 
know.” 

" Rather too early in the morning for that,” 
said Tim Allen, who had driven over with 
the rumseller. " He is pretty sober till after- 
noon ; but people are getting afraid to trust 
him much then.” 

"Well, I don’t want him any time. I sup- 
pose you are through with me now, doctor, 
and I may as well go.” 

"Not exactly. I must give you some 
directions. In the first place, not a drop of 
liquor must pass your lips.” 

"That’s rather hard when a man needs it 
as much as I do to keep up my health and 
spirits.” 


310 


THE TEMPEEANCE DOCTOE. 


" You don’t need it, and you’ll be likely to 
lose your hand if you use it.” 

"I should like to understand the philosophy 
of that.” 

"It is easily explained. The great danger 
is from inflammation. All intoxicating drinks 
tend to produce an unnatural and feverish 
state of the system, thus increasing the 
chances of inflammation. Your wounds will, 
at the best, be longer in healing than if you 
were a strictly temperate man.” 

"You must think my blood in a pretty 
bad condition, doctor.” 

" Not so bad but it might be worse.” 

" Some comfort in that. Now, let us hear 
the rest. I’m bound to obey orders this 
time.” 

Pretty strict orders these proved to be. 
The doctor was "thorough going,” as Dan 
said, on his way home. 

Mr. Manning made his second call that 
morning at Mrs. Vane’s, and, after a cheerful 
conversation with the young people, returned 
to his study. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


311 


These young people had been busy with 
their books, making their last reviews. 

"I thought I was all ready three weeks 
ago,” said Genie. "Now I am sure of it, so 
far as books are concerned. Take them all 
away, Clarence, and let us have a good talk 
with mother.” 

There had been many such talks ; but all 
was not said, even when the hour for parting 
came. Mrs. Vane feared little for Genie, 
but there were last words for her son, full of 
tenderness and anxiety. 

"You may trust me, dear mother,” was 
the reply. "I never go out in the morning 
without praying God to keep me safely 
through the day, and I never lie down at 
night without thanking him for his preserv- 
ing care.” 

So they went, and the village seemed more 
quiet than ever. Mrs. Hall rejoiced that the 
general good health of the people allowed 
her husband to spend much of his time at 
home. 

" There hasn’t been the shadow of an inci- 


312 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

dent since you left,” she wrote to Eugenia 
Vape, when the latter had been away four 
weeks. "The only item of news I have 
heard concerns Dan Messer. His groggery 
is closed for the present, and there is a gen- 
eral lamentation among his old customers. 

"Dan says he won’t sell to others what he 
can’t drink himself. His hand and arm are 
doing well ; but if I were Dr. instead of Mrs., 
he would be kept under cold-water treatment 
for some time longer.” 

Once in a while, when the evenings were 
pretty dark, a few of Dan’s customers came 
up to the hotel to get their bottles filled, and 
some went to the next town ; but, on the 
whole, there was considerable enforced ab- 
stinence. 

Betsey Halsey was so delighted at this that 
she went herself to visit "Mr. Messer,” and 
carried him some specimens of her best cook- 
ing. Of course she would not lose so good 
an opportunity for urging upon him a con- 
tinuance in well-doing. 

"We shall see,” was his reply. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


313 


"We are going to have some more temper- 
ance meetings this winter, and I shall expect 
you to be one of the speakers,” she said, as 
she was about leaving. 

" One of the speakers ! ” he repeated, with 
a loud laugh. " A rumseller make a temper- 
ance speech! Wait till I’ve signed the 
pledge.” 


IX. 


Talk no more of temperance, 

Or boast of self-control; 

Pledge thyself to abstinence, 

And thus redeem thy soul. 

Late one evening, when Mrs. Hosford had 
laid aside her work and opened the Bible, 
there was a rap at the door. Hattie, who 
was sitting beside her, sprang to open it ; 
and there, with pale, haggard face, with 
clothing travel-stained and tattered, stood her 
father. A cry of terror, and she buried her 
face in her mother’s lap. 

Mrs. Hosford was paralyzed with the sight 
which met her gaze. 

"I suppose you can’t be glad to see me, 
Susan ; but I had nowhere else to go. I am 
tired and hungry,” said the man, who had 
entered the room. 


314 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


315 


"Sit down,” she said, at length. "You 
can go to bed, Hattie,” was added, in a low 
tone. 

The child hesitated; but seeing, by her 
mother’s looks, that it was best, went up the 
stairs. 

"Would you like some supper?” asked 
the wife ; and, being answered in the affirma- 
tive, she brought food and placed it before 
her husband. 

He ate ravenously, as one half-starved, 
then moved back from the table, and once 
stooped as though to take his hat from the 
floor. 

"Have you come far to-day?” was asked, 
more to break the silence than from any real 
wish to know. 

"Many miles,” was the reply. 

It was a strange meeting between husband 
and wife, after months of separation. Few 
words were spoken. Mrs. Hosford could 
hardly credit the evidence of her own senses. 
It seemed impossible that the man she had 
loved, and whom she had once thought the 


316 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


embodiment of all manly excellence, could 
have fallen so low. His very presence was 
a curse ; yet he must have shelter for the 
night. 

Hattie waited anxiously. " Is father down- 
stairs now?” she asked, in a whisper, when 
her mother came into the room where she 

lay. 

" Yes,” was the reply. 

" Why, aint you afraid he’ll kill us all be- 
fore morning ? ” 

"Not at all, my dear. There is no danger 
of that. He is almost sick.” 

"I thought he was drunk,” said the child, 
in the same cautious tone. "You won’t let 
him stay here all the time, will you, mother? 
Oh, dear ! I almost wish he was dead, so he 
couldn’t ever come back.” 

" That is very wicked, Hattie. You should 
ask God to make him better.” 

"I do, always; and I didn’t mean to say 
anything wicked. But we shall be just as 
poor as ever if he stays here.” 

Mrs. Hosford passed a wretched, sleepless 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


317 


night, revolving all these things in her mind, 
and praying for strength and wisdom to do 
her whole duty. 

Morning made that duty plain. Her hus- 
band was unable to rise from his bed, and, 
whatever he had been, or whatever he might 
be, not for a moment did she question in re- 
gard to her present obligations. Every 
friend outraged, every door closed against 
him, she must nurse him back to health and 
strength. 

The children moved noiselessly when they 
knew their father was in the house, keeping 
as far as possible from the room which he 
occupied. It was the saddest day that had 
been spent in the new home. Instead of the 
usual remunerative labor, there were old gar- 
ments to be cleansed and repaired ; while the 
careless laugh of childhood gave place to tears 
and lamentations. 

It seemed at first that only rest and nour- 
ishing food would be necessary to restore the 
miserable husband and father; but the day 
passed, with no signs of improvement. Still 


318 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


prostrated when the third morning dawned, 
Hattie was despatched for Dr. Hall. Few 
questions were asked the child. The old, 
sad look had come back to her face, and, 
shrinking from observation, she turned quick- 
ly homeward. 

When Mr. Hosford was told that the doc- 
tor had arrived, he protested that he had no 
need of medical advice. Perhaps there was 
no person in the world whose presence would 
have been more uuwelcome than this same 
Temperance Doctor. 

A slight examination showed that the sick 
man was suffering from a slow fever, the re- 
sult of extreme dissipation. 

" He will probably be confined to the house 
for two or three weeks,” was the discouraging 
report made to his wife. 

" This seems more than I can bear,” she re- 
plied. " He will be taking the bread from 
the mouths of my children, and turning their 
home into a prison.” 

There were many who sympathized with 
her, many who would gladly have offered her 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


319 


assistance ; but hers was a grief with which a 
stranger could not intermeddle. Her hus- 
band would once have been overwhelmed with 
shame at the thought of his condition ; but 
he had taken a long stride downward since 
he left the Ruggles Farm. His finer feelings 
were so blunted that he received all care and 
attention as his right, seeming hardly to real- 
ize that he was an intruder. The only feel- 
ing manifested was in regard to Dr. Hall. 
He was not yet sufficiently hardened to meet 
his steady gaze without betraying some an- 
noyance, and, as his health improved, this 
annoyance increased. 

Four weeks after his return he was able, 
for the first time, to go out of doors ; and 
Johnnie hoped he would go away so far that 
he could " never get back.” 

During these four weeks Mrs. Hosford had 
managed, by great exertion, to meet the ex- 
penses of her family; but she had neither 
health nor courage to endure such a tax upon 
her powers for any great length of time. 
Her husband had spoken vaguely of going 


320 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


away, but he evidently had no plans in re- 
gard to it; and, indeed, after the first few 
days, no allusion was made to the future. 
The children still avoided him, and begged 
their mother to "send him off.” 

It was a difficult place to see clearly and 
act wisely. The mother sympathized with 
her children, yet memories of other days 
sometimes awoke feelings of tenderness for 
the man who, in weakness and destitution, 
had come to her for shelter and care. While 
confined to the house, she knew he could not 
add to her troubles by becoming intoxicated ; 
but with returning health came this possi- 
bility. 

Dr. Hall had spoken plainly, although 
without expectation that his words of warn- 
ing would be heeded. The only hope lay in 
the fact of his being utterly penniless ; but a 
drunkard is rarely reduced to such straits 
that he cannot, in some way, find means to 
gratify his appetite. By working or stealing, 
funds will be raised. 

Mrs. Hosford, having occasion to go to a 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


321 


neighbor’s about a quarter of a mile distant, 
took her children with her, rather than leave 
them at home with their father. No sooner 
had she left the house, than he commenced a 
thorough search for money. Every probable 
and improbable place was ransacked, and the 
little hoard, so carefully hidden, was at last 
found. He held it in his hand for a moment, 
moved a little from his purpose by a thought 
of wife and children ; but the hellish thirst 
conquered. Pocketing the money, he went 
to the village store, bought some small arti- 
cles for use in the family, and had his flask 
filled with brandy. 

Well might Bill Magoon say that he was 
no better than the rest. The veriest wretch 
that walks the earth could hardly have done 
worse than this. 

After so long abstinence, it was not strange 
that John Hosford drank until he was intoxi- 
cated, and thus his wife found him. 

What could she do ? Whichever way she 
turned, there was only darkness. Something 
21 


322 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


impelled her to look for her money. Gone ! 
Not a penny remained ! 

Do you wonder that she wrung her hands 
in agony ? that, for a time, she questioned the 
goodness of her Almighty Father, and prayed 
only that she might die ? 

The weeping of her children rouse,d her, 
and she dried her own tears to comfort them. 
She mourned not for the loss of the money, 
although that was, in itself, a calamity; her 
great grief was caused by the knowledge 
that her husband had lost every feeling of 
honor. This was the severest blow of all, the 
last drop in the cup of bitterness. 

Work, that night, was a blessing; and 
when her children had been cared for, she 
tried to think calmly of her situation. She 
knew that it was not her duty to provide a 
home for her husband at the expense of her 
own and her children’s comfort; certainly 
not, under present circumstances. But how 
could she rid herself of his presence ? Once 
she could have appealed to him, but now such 
an appeal would be hopeless. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


323 


Often was the needle laid down, but again 
resumed at the thought of the helpless ones 
dependent upon her. She must work, for 
winter was at the door, with no provisions 
made for its coming. 

The next day she consulted Dr. Hall. 

"My husband knows I cannot support 
him,” she said; "but he is too far gone to 
care for that. He will not leave me, and I 
cannot move again.” 

The doctor considered. He had done all 
in his power to reclaim this man, and was 
convinced that, so long as liquor could be ob- 
tained, he would continue to drink, unless 
some new influence could be brought to bear 
upon him. 

"You would not wish to complain of him 
for stealing, and let the law take its course?” 
he said, questioningly. 

" I could not,” was the reply. " I can en- 
dure no added disgrace, and it would only 
make him more desperate.” 

No plan could be suggested which prom- 
ised success, and the poor woman returned 


324 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


home, to try once more the effect of her own 
words. She found her husband sober, and 
asked him what he proposed to do for the 
winter. 

" You know that it is impossible for me to 
provide for you,” she said. " While you 
were sick, I was willing to take care of you, 
but, now that you are well, I cannot do it.” 

"Want to get rid of me, do you?” he 
asked. 

"Yes, I do,” was the reply, made more 
emphatic by the insolent tone and manner in 
which the question was propounded. " I 
wish to be left in peace with my children.” 

"Well, if you want peace, you’d better 
keep quiet. I’ve got into comfortable quar- 
ters, and I shan’t be in any hurry to leave. 
You may as well get supper now.” 

Truly, " no person can so torture, degrade, 
and humiliate a woman as her own husband,” 
and no woman bears keener torture, deeper 
degradation, or more abject humiliation, than 
the drunkard’s wife. 

Never had Mrs. Hosford realized this as 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


325 


during the conversation above narrated, and 
only regard for her children kept her silent. 
The frugal meal was prepared ; but the hus- 
band sat at the table alone. The children 
ate some gingerbread in their room above 
stairs, and the mother had no desire for food. 
This night was spent in work until tired na- 
ture was completely exhausted, and claimed 
rest in sleep. 

The following day Betsey Halsey called. 
She had heard something of the state of 
affairs, and thought, perhaps, she might be 
of service. Mr. Hosford sprang from his 
chair the moment he saw her ; but she caught 
a glimpse of his retreating figure, and called 
upon him to return. 

"I have some special business with you.” 

Without suspecting what this business 
might be, he turned back. 

" I have brought a total abstinence pledge, 
and I want you to sign it,” she said, unroll- 
ing the paper she held in her hand. 

To say that he was indignant at the sight 
of this would but poorly express his feelings. 


326 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


He was thoroughly enraged, and he gave his 
wife such a look as showed that he considered 
her to blame for the intrusion. 

"You needn’t look at your wife in that 
way,” said the visitor. " She knew nothing 
of my coming. You are not the first man I 
have asked to sign the pledge, and you won’t 
be the last.” 

John Hosford was " fairly cornered.” He 
would not presume to argue with this woman, 
for he knew her to be more than his match, 
and he certainly had not the least idea of 
signing the pledge. "I think you must ex- 
cuse me,” he said, at length, with something 
of his old, gentlemanly manner. 

" Excuse you ? ” she replied. " I don’t think 
I can. I left my work and came over on 
purpose to bring you the pledge, and I can’t 
afford to spend my time for nothing. Just 
sign the pledge. You must know by this 
time that drinking liquor will never do you 
any good.” 

"I should like to know what others you 
have asked to sign the pledge,” said Mr. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


327 


Hosford, anxious that the conversation should 
become less personal. 

" Several men in our neighborhood. Among 
them, John Wilson and Dan Messer.” 

" And did they sign ? ” 

"John did, and I am sure that Dan will as 
soon as he can bring his mind to give up his 
business. We intend to have some temper- 
ance meetings this winter, and I calculate on 
him for one of the speakers.” 

"Then I guess you’ll get disappointed. 
Kumsellers are not in the habit of making 
temperance speeches.” 

"Dan isn’t exactly a rumseller now. He 
hasn’t sold any liquor since he hurt his hand 
last summer. But that has nothing to do 
with my business here. I want you to sign 
the pledge, whether any one else does or 
not.” 

"I guess I’ll wait till Dan makes his 
speech.” 

"Will you sign then?” asked the perse- 
vering woman. 

"I’ll think of it,” was the first reply; but 


328 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

this did not satisfy ; and, at last, he promised 
fairly that he would sign the total abstinence 
pledge when Dan Messer made a public 
speech in favor of temperance. 

This done, he was glad to make his escape, 
and Mrs. Halsey was perfectly willing he 
should do so, as she then had an opportunity 
to talk with the other members of the family. 
She first distributed some cakes among the 
children, and then addressed herself to the 
mother, who received gratefully the sympathy 
so kindly offered. 

" Try and have patience for a few days, 
and see what can be done. If everything 
fails, then he may as well be given up.” 

This was the parting advice of Betsey Hal- 
sey as she drove away to complete the work 
she had so well begun. She went first to 
Dr. Hall’s, then to Dan Messer’s, and from 
there home, well pleased with her success. 

The next week, notice was given of a series 
of temperance meetings, to be holden in the 
different districts of the town, and a great 
effort was made to rouse the interest of the 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 329 

people. Mr. Manning promised to be present. 
George Blake engaged to furnish attractive 
singing, and there seemed no possibility of 
failure. 

Those who had been most violent in their 
opposition the year previous were compara- 
tively silent. The ’squire said he had no 
disposition to interfere. His sentiments had 
always been well known. Mr. Gore affected 
to treat the whole matter with indifference, 
dispensing smiles and drams as blandly as 
ever. 

For one, John Hosford was annoyed by 
the announcement of these meetings, and 
sometimes a fear crossed his mind lest he 
might be called upon to redeem his promise. 

It was time that the patience of his wife 
should be relieved. When the money taken 
from her was gone he worked enough to 
supply himself with liquor, so that he was at 
no time free from its influence. For three 
days before the first temperance meeting he 
was thoroughly intoxicated, and, when Bob- 
ert Halsey called with his wife to say that 


330 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Dan Messer was expected to be present, they 
found him extended upon the bed. At first, 
he refused to listen, but they remained until 
near the hour appointed, when Dr. Hall came 
to their assistance ; and the half-drunken man 
was persuaded, much against his will, to 
accompany them to the meeting. 

There was a large attendance, and among 
those present were several who had long been 
considered irreclaimable drunkards. Mr. 
Manning opened the meeting with prayer, 
and made a few remarks. Dr. Hall followed 
in an earnest appeal, presenting the pledge. 

Nearly every young lady in the hall came 
forward and signed it. A few young men 
imitated their example, and then the meeting 
was open to any who might choose to speak. 

No one seemed inclined to improve the 
opportunity, and George Blake came to the 
rescue with his band of singers. When their 
inspiring song had closed, Dan Messer rose 
and stood before the audience. The anti- 
temperance men said he made " no great of a 
speech ; ” but it had the merit of directness, 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


331 


and produced a positive effect upon those 
who heard it. He announced the fact that 
his groggery was closed, never to be re- 
opened. "I’ve done with liquor forever,” he 
said, turning to sign the pledge. 

John Hosford, who had listened with al- 
most breathless interest, mindful of his 
promise, with great effort rose from his seat, 
and attempted to walk towards the desk. 
After a few steps he staggered, and would 
have fallen had not Robert Halsey offered his 
assistance. Even this was insufficient, and 
Tim Allen placed himself upon one side of 
the half-intoxicated man. 

Thus supported, he reached the desk, and, 
with trembling hand, grasped the pen. 

There was only an illegible scrawl upon the 
paper, but it had been made by John Hos- 
ford, and stood in place of his signature. 

" He’s too drunk to know what he’s been 
doing,” said some one in an audible whisper. 

"I’m not quite so badly off as that,” was 
the reply. "I know that I’ve signed the 


332 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

pledge, and I shall keep it. You may count 
on that, sure.” 

This occurrence loosened all tongues, and 
there was no lack of speakers. When the 
meeting closed, Dr. Hall took Mr. Hosford 
in charge, and saw him safely home. His 
w T ife, too restless to work, was waiting impa- 
tiently for his return ; but small comfort had 
she when he appeared. He sat down, leaning 
his head upon his hand, for a short time, then 
rose, without speaking a word, and entered 
his sleeping-room. 

All hope seemed lost; there remained 
hardly a possibility of reformation ; and she 
endeavored to prepare herself for the trial 
before her. What the morrow might bring 
she knew not. Prayer was her only resource, 
and in this she sought strength. 

The next morning, long before the sun had 
risen, Mrs. Hosford heard her husband 
moving about the kitchen. So unusual an 
occurrence made her tremble with fear ; but, 
when she found courage to enter the room, 
she soon saw there was no cause for alarm. 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


333 


A cheerful fire was burning in the stove, and 
the first preparations were made for break- 
fast. 

"You are up early this morning, John,” 
she said, wishing to break the silence. 

" Yes,” was the reply. " I could not sleep, 
and thought I would have a warm room for 
you and the children when you came down.” 

Another silence. " Susan, I signed the 
pledge last night. Ask God to help me 
keep it,” said the husband, in a husky voice. 

" Signed the pledge ! ” she exclaimed. 
"O John, is this true? Don’t deceive me,” 
she added, going up to him, and looking 
him full in the face. 

"No wonder that you doubt it, my poor, 
injured wife,” he replied, folding his arms 
about her, and weeping manly tears of peni- 
tence. 

She had not expected this, and, for a time, 
had no words to express her joy. After the 
first burst of emotion, when they could talk 
calmly, he gave her an account of the meet- 
ing. "Thex*e is hope for me now,” he said, 


334 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


in conclusion. "I never expected to be 
called upon to fulfil my promise to Mrs. 
Halsey, but she and Dan Messer have saved 
me.” 

The candle burned to the socket, and the 
sun flooded the earth with its golden light, 
but this husband and wife took no note of 
time. "I will leave you until I have proved 
the sincerity of my purpose, and redeemed 
my character. Then you may, perhaps, for- 
give me, and again share my home,” he had 
said. 

" Everything is forgiven, my husband,” was 
the reply. " Stay with me, and let me help 
you in your struggle. Let us work to- 
gether.” 

The compact was sealed with renewed 
pledges of amendment, and, if a doubt still 
lingered in the heart of the wife, she gave it 
no utterance. 

The children were as much surprised at 
the new order of things as their mother had 
been, but they were not so ready to overlook 
the past. They looked with suspicion upon 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


335 


their father^, even after he told them that he 
had "signed the doctor’s pledge” and was 
going to work to get them a nice home. 
Their confidence was not so easily regained. 

Mrs. Hosford was careful to have as good 
a breakfast as she was able to provide ; yet 
her husband ate but little, and the avidity 
with which he drank several cups of strong 
coffee showed his craving for the usual stimu- 
lant. Rising from the table, he prepared to 
l go to his work. " I shall be back as soon as 
I am through this evening,” he said, as he 
held the door ajar, looking back to his wife. 
L "Pray for me, Susan. It will be a hard day.” 

It was a hard day, through every hour of 
which he was obliged to combat the demands 
of appetite ; but he resisted, even to the end, 
f and went home one day nearer heaven. 

How glad was the welcome he received ! 

, His children sprang to meet him, while his 
wife looked up with a smile and a cheerful 
" good-evening.” His taste had been consid- 
[' ered in the preparation of the supper, to 
r which he did ample justice. 


336 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


Dr. Hall and his wife came in to spend 
part of the evening, when conversation flowed 
fast and freely. At first it was general, but 
the ladies gradually withdrew from their 
husbands, and talked more confidentially. 
Mrs. Hosford learned more of the temperance 
meeting from her visitor, and heard, also, a 
detailed account of the measures proposed to 
stay the tide of intemperance. "We had 
some people present, last evening, from the 
four adjoining towns, and they think it is 
time for them to wake up,” said this enthusi- 
astic temperance woman. 

This same subject was being discussed, in 
a somewhat different way, by the gentlemen. 

The doctor was anxious to enlist his com- 
panion as a speaker at the next temperance 
meeting, thinking that, with this in prospect, 
he would be more sure to keep his pledge 
inviolate. 

But Mr. Hosford was unwilling to bring 
himself thus before the public, urging, as a 
reason, that he could have no influence. 
Many would say that he had better take care 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


337 


of himself. At last, he promised to think 
of it during the next fortnight ; and with this 
the doctor was forced to be content. 

Mr. Manning received a call that evening 
from five of his parishioners, gray-headed 
old men, who had all their lives used liquor 
moderately, and cider excessively. They 
felt it to be their duty to remonstrate with 
their pastor on the course he was pursuing. 

"Of what do you complain, gentlemen?” 
he asked. 

There was some hesitation. Each one 
seemed waiting for his neighbor to reply. 

"We think you ought not to take sides on 
the temperance question. Ministers should 
preach the gospel.” 

"You are right there, my friend. They 
should preach the gospel, and declare the 
whole counsel of God, whether men will hear 
or forbear.” 

"Certainly, certainly,” said one. "We all 
believe that. No one will find fault with 
that.” 

"I have done no more.” 


22 


338 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" But you were at the temperance meeting 
last evening.” 

" I was, and I wish you had all been there. 
You would have heard some fine singing and 
good speeches.” 

This was most ungraciously received, and 
much more was said, which I have not space 
to record. 

" W e have no wish to run after any new 
doctrine, and shall feel obliged to withdraw 
our support from those who do.” 

This dignified speech, made by a man with 
bloated face and watery eyes, closed the in- 
terview, and the "gentlemen ” left the house, 
surprised and offended. They were not quite 
ready to go home, so went into the bar-room 
of the Eagle House to talk over the matter. 

Mr. Gore received them graciously. He, 
too, had been troubled in regard to their 
pastor ; but he hoped nothing would be said 
or done to injure the good man’s feelings. 

" He has been unduly influenced, and we 
must give him time for consideration. I’ve 
no doubt that he will soon see his error.” 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


339 


"I know,” said one, in reply. "It all 
comes of that Temperance Doctor. We got 
along well enough before he came here, and 
nobody thought of making such a fuss about 
liquor. The old doctor says a little stimulus 
isr good for anybody, and I believe him. 
Landlord, I’ll take a glass of wine.” 

This second call, made by the delegation, 
proved much more agreeable than the first, 
and Mr. Gore felt himself greatly encouraged 
by their sympathy. Some allusion was made 
to Mr. Hosford and Dan Messer. 

"All talk,” said one. "Dan will be sell- 
ing again within a week, and I shouldn’t won- 
der if Hosford was his first customer.” 

This remark, or one of like import, had 
been frequently made during the day. The 
meeting had been reported in such a variety 
of ways, that many, not sympathizing with 
its object, wished they had been present. 
Among these, Esquire Randolph regretted 
exceedingly that he was obliged to receive 
the news at second-hand, and yet was anxious 
to hear all the details. The subject, not of 


340 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


temperance, but abstinence, forced itself more 
and more upon his attention. 

After the death of Mr. Vane, he had asso- 
ciated with himself a man remarkable for 
nothiug but plodding application. The work 
of the office was faithfully performed, but 
the old ’squire wished for more than that. He 
was ready to give up something of the care 
of his general business, ^nd had long looked 
forward to the time when Fred should com- 
plete his studies, and assume this responsi- 
bility. With this time, too, he had asso- 
ciated another event, the realization of a 
fondly cherished hope to welcome a daughter 
to his home. But the past year had mocked 
his best-laid plans. 

He feared that the habits of his son were 
far from what they should be, and the thought 
that he might wreck hi-s life by dissipation, 
filled him with anxious forebodings. He 
missed the bright young faces that had so 
long beamed upon him ; and, although under 
the influence of a great disappointment, he 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


341 


had treated his wards with coldness, he 
longed for their return. 

Mrs. Vane’s house was closed, and this 
added to his feeling of loneliness. Soon 
after her children left home she had been 
called away by the death of a brother’s wife, 
and had been persuaded by the bereaved 
family to remain with them for the winter. 
Eugenia and Clarence would spend their 
vacations with her, and some months might 
elapse before they would visit their native 
village. 

Selwyn Barnes had been present at the 
temperance meeting, of which he wrote a 
glowing description to Clarence Vane; and 
his mother and sister, as well as himself, 
were impatient for the next news in regard 
to Mr. Hosford. This came, a week later, in 
a letter from Mrs. Hall. 

" His pledge is yet unbroken. He has 
worked every day since signing it, and we 
have faith that he will persevere. The doc- 
tor hopes that he will speak at the meeting 
next week.” 


342 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


This was read with delight, and Clarence 
indulged in various speculations in regard to 
the speech Mr. Hosford might be expected to 
make. 

He was not alone in his speculations. 
When it was known that Mr. Hosford was 
expected to make an address upon the subject 
of temperance, every one was anxious to hear 
him. 

"The school-house won’t begin to hold the 
people,” said Dan Messer to Dr. Hall. " I 
know enough that are going to fill it twice 
over. We must go to the Town Hall.” 

" Are you going yourself ? ” asked the doc- 
tor. 

" Indeed, I am. I wouldn’t miss hearing 
Hosford for a good deal. Besides, you know, 
he came out to hear me, and I must return 
the compliment,” he said, with a laugh. "I 
don’t think my business will suffer much.” 

In the fortnight since Dan Messer had 
signed the pledge, there had been a great 
change in his business. The two filthy rooms 
that constituted the groggery were thoroughly 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


343 


cleansed, and the casks of liquor replaced by 
substantial groceries. This change involved 
some sacrifice, but it was promptly made. 

" I ’spose it looks better’ll it did afore, but 
it don’t seem so much like home,” said one of 
the old customers, who came in with a ba<r to 
be filled with flour. " Guess you won’t make 
so much money this way, Dan.” 

"Nor so much misery, either,” was the 
reply. 

The second temperance meeting of the 
season was held in the Town Hall, and this 
was hardly sufficient to accommodate the 
audience. As before, Mr. Manning im- 
plored the divine blessing. Dr. Hall hastily 
reviewed the progress of events. A stirring 
song was sung, and then Mr. Hosford ap- 
peared upon the stand. Painfully conscious 
of the interest he had excited, it was no easy 
task to control his emotions. For a moment 
after rising he hesitated; but directly his 
voice was heard, clear and distinct. 

There were men present, who, like him- 
self, had waded in the slough of drunken- 


344 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


ness, and who had not yet come up from its 
depths. But not to these were his words 
addressed. He appealed to moderate drink- 
ers, who believed they were injuring neither 
themselves nor others. 

" The drunkard knows he is ruining him- 
self, soul and body, and this consciousness 
often goads him well-nigh to madness. He 
is miserable and wretched, and, if he be poor, 
as sooner or later a drunkard will be, he is 
an outcast from society. No man in his 
senses would choose such a fate. No man 
does choose it. It is forced upon him by cir- 
cumstances.” 

At this assertion the speaker paused, while 
more than one whisper of dissent was heard. 

" I do not mean to say that the use of in- 
toxicating drinks is forced upon any man ; 
but I do mean to say that there are many men 
who cannot make use of such drinks without 
becoming drunkards.” 

This remark was received with no more 
general favor than the one which preceded it ; 
but Mr. Hosford dwelt at some length upon 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


345 


the point, and continued his appeal to mod- 
erate drinkers, using the following strong 
language, — 

"You, who can drink one glass of wine 
and feel no craving for the second, may, by 
your example, tempt another to his ruin. 
Some, alas ! do more than this. They place 
a cup to their neighbor’s lips, and then turn 
away, unmindful of the misery they have 
wrought, speaking contemptuously of him 
who cannot control his appetite.” 

Conjecture and speculation had been en- 
tirely at fault in regard to this speech. It 
was altogether different from what was ex- 
pected. Some, perhaps most, had thought 
they should be entertained with a personal 
narrative ; but such were greatly disap- 
pointed, as the speaker made no allusion to 
his own history. 

No sooner was he seated than Mr. George 
Thompson rose. A wealthy farmer, and a 
professed Christian, he was one of the solid 
men of the town, whom all respected, and to 
whose opinion all gave deference. 


346 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" I believe our brother is right,” he said. 
" I heartily endorse every word he has spoken. 
Since our pastor preached his temperance 
sermon, I have been thinking of this matter, 
and praying over it, asking that the path of 
duty might be made plain before me. I wish, 
my friends, you would all do this, and see 
what answer you receive. I was convinced 
that I had been in the wrong, and resolved 
to give up the use of all intoxicating liquors, 
never thinking it would cost me an effort to 
do this. I had often said, as I have heard 
many others say, 'I can drink, or let it alone, 
just as I please.’ I could drink, that was 
certain, for I had tried it; but to let it 
alone was not so easy, as I found to my 
shame and sorrow. When I have a hard 
day’s work to do, I miss the accustomed 
stimulant; and when the social glass is 
offered me, it is a self-denial to refuse. 
Some of you, my friends, may think this a 
strange confession; but try total abstinence 
yourselves, and see what will be your experi- 
ence. I see before me many fathers, whose 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


347 


sons and daughters are growing up around 
them, strong and beautiful. You would not 
have them drunkards, but you may be help- 
ing to make them so. I have laid five chil- 
dren in their graves, and I would infinitely 
rather lay the last remaining one beside 
them, than have him live to be a drunkard. 
I for one am ready to sign the pledge, and 
I pray God my son may follow my example.” 

There were many tearful eyes in the assem- 
bly as this was said ; and when the speaker, 
whose sincerity no one doubted, took up a 
pen to affix his signature to the pledge, sobs 
were heard from different parts of the hall. 

A noble-looking boy came forward to the 
table, and laid his hand upon the shoulder of 
the man as he wrote, and two new names ap- 
peared upon the paper. 

"Thank God for this, Willie! We are 
safe now,” said the father, as together they 
returned to their seats. 

This gave a religious tone to the meeting, 
and for the remainder of the evening prayers 
were intermingled with remarks. 


348 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


" A regular prayer-meeting,” said one old 
toper to another. " It’s a good many years 
since I’ve been in one before, but I shall be 
on hand for the next one.” 

"Just what it should be,” said Dr. Hall. 
"We can never make progress in a good 
cause without God’s blessing.” 

Esquire Randolph was present, but he 
stayed for no comments. Mr. Hosford’s 
words would have seemed of little conse- 
quence had they not been endorsed by an- 
other. The departure of his friend Thompson 
from the old ranks troubled him ; and, listen- 
ing to his remarks, he could not but think of 
his own sons. Was he helping to make them 
drunkards ? 

The idea was preposterous. He would not 
allow it to influence him for a moment. But 
it did influence him, notwithstanding this 
resolution, and the next day he wrote a long 
letter to Fred, urging upon him the necessity 
of temperance. 

"You know I am not a fanatic,” he said, in 
conclusion ; " but I cannot be blind to the fact 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


349 


that many of our young men ruin their pros- 
pects for life by a too free use of stimulants. 
I do not ask you to abstain altogether ; but 
I do ask and expect that you will never allow 
reason to be dethroned by appetite.” 

Fred Randolph read this letter, gave its 
contents a few moments of serious considera- 
tion, then laid it aside and joined a company 
of young men who had no scruples as to the 
way in which their time was spent. "A 
short life and a merry one ” was their motto. 

A few weeks later he was " admitted to the 
bar,” and entered his father’s office. Upon 
returning home, he found that great changes 
had taken place in the community. Mr. 
Gore’s business had materially fallen off, and 
Dan Messer’s groggery was a thing of the 
past. Some of the worst drunkards had 
abandoned their cups, and many moderate 
drinkers had signed the pledge of total absti- 
nence. 

The series of temperance meetings, which, 
from first to last, were fully attended, had 
accomplished a great and good work. Signs 


350 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


of thrift appeared where before had been 
squalid wretchedness. 

Yet some, wilfully blind to all these im- 
provements, declared that the old days were 
better than the new. The men who had 
called to remonstrate with Mr. Manning ab- 
sented themselves from church, and refused 
to pay anything towards his support. But 
they had never been very liberal ; so this 
caused no inconvenience ; and, their places 
being made good by others, they were hardly 
missed. 

When the spring opened, the usually 
quiet village was astir with business. A 
company of gentlemen from abroad had pur- 
chased a water privilege about half a mile 
above the village, where they proposed to 
erect a large mill. New avenues of employ- 
ment were thus opened, and there was no 
excuse for idleness. 

The influence of this movement was felt 
throughout the town. Farmers and me- 
chanics alike rejoiced. Mr. Gore flattered 
himself that his bar would be better patron- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


351 


ized, and counted largely upon increased 
profits. 

His first disappointment ,was experienced 
when he learned that the agent of the com- 
pany was a particular friend of Dr. Hall. 
The second was still more severe. No per- 
son, who made use of intoxicating drinks, 
would be employed in any capacity by this 
agent. 

" Downright tyranny ,” said some. "Won- 
der if he thinks we shall stand such treatment 
as that. This is a free country, and we shall 
eat and drink what we please, work or no 
work.” 

Mr. Gore fully sympathized with these 
sentiments ; but their expression would put 
no money in his pocket, and money was what 
he wanted. 

Esquire Randolph was astonished at so un- 
usual a restriction ; but the law could give 
no redress to the aggrieved party. 

Good wages and sure pay were strong in- 
ducements, a lid Mr. Bolton, the agent, found 
no difficulty m securing all the help he 


352 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


desired*. Mr. Hosford was one of the first 
men who applied, willing to do anything of 
which he was capable. The agent had heard 
of him through their mutual friend, and gave 
him the best situation in his power. 

Here he soon gained the respect and es- 
teem of all with whom he associated, and 
even Esquire Randolph, who, fora time, had 
passed by on the other side, was willing to 
acknowledge his acquaintance. Mr. Gore 
bowed politely when they met. The liquor 
bill had been paid with some of the first 
money earned by the reformed man. Mrs. 
Hosford had given up all extra work and de- 
voted herself entirely to her family, while 
the children grew rosy and happy. The cow 
had come again into their possession, and 
plenty crowned the board. 

About the first of July, Mrs. Yane re- 
turned and opened her house, that it might 
be in readiness to receive her children. Es- 
quire Randolph and his wife called upon her 
directly, to express their pleasure at her re- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 35b 

turn ; and Fred exceeded his parents in cor- 
diality. 

Mrs. Hall welcomed her friend affection- 
ately. So much had transpired during her 
absence, that in a long call there was time 
to give only a general outline of the changes. 
"You must see Mr. Hosford,” she said. 
" He is one of the finest-looking men in 
town, and his wife is growing handsome. 
Betsey Halsey may well be proud of her 
work. She is now expending her energies 
upon two poor besotted women, and I have 
no doubt she will succeed in reforming them. 
Her faith is of the kind that removes moun- 
tains.” 

" Have you converted the ’squire ? ” asked 
Mrs.Vane. 

Her companion shook her head in reply. 
"I wish he might be converted,” she said, 
after a short silence ; " but the doctor has lit- 
tle expectation that he will ever give up his 
old habits and opinions.” 

" And Fred ? ” 

"Like his father in sentiment, but less 

23 


354 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


temperate in practice. He must reform or 
be ruined.” 

This was no more than Mrs. Vane had ex- 
pected ; yet it seemed hard to realize that one 
so gifted with all manly graces should be in 
danger of ruin. She thought of her own son, 
and prayed that he might return to her un- 
tainted with vice. 

It was a joyful day when the family were 
again united, and the dear familiar rooms 
echoed to their happy voices. Eugenia came 
one day before her brother, and would gladly 
have devoted the time to quiet conversation 
with her mother, but her friends, eager to bid 
her welcome, left small space for this. 

Never had the old ’squire manifested more 
affection for her. Fred protested he had 
been very lonely without her, and hoped she 
would never think of going back to school. 
"We cannot spare you for another year,” he 
said, laughing. "If persuasion fails, father 
must exercise his authority. Mother, too, 
will have something to say about it, and she 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


355 


will expect to see you early to-morrow morn- 
ing.” 

Eugenia gladly promised to make the call, 
congratulating herself that friendly relations 
were once more established between the 
families, and during the vacation, she with 
her brother was often at the house of her 
guardian. 

In return, Fred made frequent calls at 
Mrs. Vane’s, always in the best of spirits, 
and wearing his most agreeable manners. 
Perfectly at home with whomever he might 
meet there, he was counted as a member 
of the family. 

Eugenia and Clarence were not troubled 
by this. They were quite willing that peo- 
ple should think what they pleased. The 
rumor of an attachment between her old 
playmate and a golden-haired, blue-eyed 
beauty had reached Eugenia Vane while in 
school, and she was disposed to give it cre- 
dence ; the more so, since Fred made not the 
most distant allusion to his old passion for 
herself. 


356 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


The evening before she returned to school, 
she learned her mistake. Fred Randolph 
again asked her to be his wife. 

Surprised and deeply moved, she could 
not instantly reply. "I must answer you 
as I have done before,” she said, at last. 

Her companion was not one to seek rejec- 
tion, or claim an unwilling bride. He be- 
lieved that she loved him ; she had more 
than once acknowledged this, or he would 
never have given her another opportunity to 
refuse his hand. He did not need to be told 
the reason which still separated them. He 
knew it well ; but appetite and pride of will 
forbade any concession on his part. 

His course of conduct during the past year 
had been adopted for the purpose of crush- 
ing the scruples he could not combat with 
argument. For this he had weighed each 
word and act, considered circumstances, and 
calculated results. To find that all had been 
in vain filled him with grief and mortifica- 
tion. Yet he drew some consolation from 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


357 


the thought that he was not the only one 
who suffered. " Genie loves me,” he whis- 
pered, as he pressed his lips to her forehead ; 
and he spoke truly. The feeling she 
thought dead had only slumbered. But 
when fully roused it could not change her 
decision. 

Fred Randolph had reason to remember 
that evening through all his after life. For 
the first time, a woman’s voice pleaded with 
him to forego the fascinations of the wine-cup. 
" There is danger in it,” said the young girl 
at his side. "A brilliant future lies before 
you. Do not sacrifice it. For your own 
sake, if not for the sake of those who love 
you, be persuaded to change your habits.” 

Well would it have been for the listener 
had he heeded these words. He felt their 
power. Reason urged, the sweet voice 
pleaded, and a bright future beckoned ; but 
ever against these were the force of habit and 
the example of a father. The struggle be- 
tween these conflicting influences went on 
long after his sad parting from Eugenia 


358 THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 

Vane ; and the recording angel wrote the 
result with tears. 

The next morning, in the hurry and bustle 
of departure, Eugenia succeeded in conceal- 
ing all traces of agitation from her mother, 
and, during the first part of her ride, conversed 
gayly with her brother and Selwyn Barnes ; 
but, when their routes separated, she experi- 
enced a feeling of relief at being no longer 
obliged to affect a cheerfulness she did not 
feel. In school, she devoted herself to study 
with renewed ardor, knowing that in constant 
occupation was her only hope of happiness. 

Spending her next vacation with a friend, 
she was not again at home until spring ; but 
she lost no item of home news. Her many 
friends kept her well advised of all that tran- 
spired. 

Dr. Walton’s death occurred during the 
winter, and this, with the progress of events 
at "Mill Village,” formed the principal topics 
of conversation in all places where men as- 
sembled to talk over matters of general in- 
terest. Particularly was this the case in the 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


359 


bar-room of the Eagle House. There the old 
doctor’s loss was deeply felt. Mr. Gore count- 
ed him among his firmest friends, and he 
could not well afford to lose any one of these. 

During his long sickness, the landlord 
visited him almost daily, and to him con- 
fided the secret of his family troubles. His 
three boys were a source of great anxiety. 
Jotham had been dismissed from his situation 
with a merchant in a neighboring town, and 
sent home in disgrace. "Too fond of liquor 
to suit me,” was the reason given by his 
employer for the dismissal. Ellis was not to 
be trusted in the bar-room alone, while Carl, 
as everybody knew, was often intoxicated. 

Trouble enough for one father, truly.; but 
Dr. Walton always comforted him with the 
assurance that the boys would do well enough 
when they were older. He had tried to be- 
lieve these words of encouragement, and, as 
this old citizen left neither wife nor children, 
perhaps no person in town mourned his death 
more sincerely than Mr. Gore. 

When Clarence Vane returned from his 


360 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


second year in college, he made another 
effort to reclaim Carl Gore ; but the boy was 
deaf to all entreaty. 

"And I might have been just as bad, but 
for you and mother, dear Genie,” said Clar- 
ence, after relating his want of success with 
Carl. "I can never repay you for your 
care. I am only beginning to realize what it 
must have been. And Selwyn, too, — he has 
helped me every day. Now, with God’s 
help, I believe I can stand secure.” 

Was not this sister repaid for all the years 
she bad devoted to her brother ? There were 
no more fears for him, even when he left 
home alone. Mrs. Vane allowed herself to 
look with confidence to the future. 

Esquire Randolph was proud of him, his 
principles as well as his talents. " Going on 
the teetotal plan through life, Clarence?” he 
asked, one day. 

"Yes, sir,” was the reply. "I would 
rather lose my life than break my pledge.” 

"A strong will there,” said the ’squire to 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


361 


himself, when his ward had left him. " Per- 
haps he is in the right, after all.” 

Eugenia, at home with her mother, settled 
down to the old routine of duties and pleas- 
ures. The discipline of school and study 
had greatly improved her. She went from 
home a lovely, enthusiastic girl. She re- 
turned, an accomplished woman, with man- 
ners somewhat subdued, yet wanting none of 
the peculiar grace which had always charac- 
terized her. 

Fred Randolph expressed quite as much 
pleasure at her return as he had the year 
previous, and promised Clarence that she 
should lack for no brotherly attention during 
his absence. He made good his word, often 
stopping, as he went to and from the office, to 
know if he could be of service; and so per- 
sistent was he in his offers of kindness that 
they could not be refused. 

Eugenia’s number of friends increased, 
every new-comer to the village being anxious 
to make her acquaintance. There was a 
pleasant circle of young people, in which she 


362 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


was always welcome. Selwyn Barnes, hav- 
ing completed his college course, was study- 
ing medicine with Dr. Hall, while last and 
least, at this same Dr. Hall’s there was a 
brown-eyed baby, upon whom she was ex- 
pected to bestow a large amount of atten- 
tion. 

" Mill Village ” had grown to be quite a 
thrifty little place. Good dwelling-houses 
had been erected for the workmen, and a 
temperance store established. Of this Mr. 
Hosford had charge, his family occupying a 
cottage not far distant. George Blake, who 
had from the first been employed as master 
mechanic, was building a house for himself. 
Real estate throughout the town had increased 
in value, and people moved a little faster 
than in the years gone by. 

Mr. Manning rejoiced in accessions to both 
church and society, — temperance, as ever, 
having proved the handmaid of religion. 

When the autumn days were brightest, 
Mrs. Randolph told Genie she was expecting 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


363 


company the next week, and should depend 
upon her to assist in entertaining the guest. 

"Who may the guest he, auntie?” she 
asked. 

"Lilly Barton” was the reply. "I saw 
her when I went my journey last spring, 
and invited her to visit us this fall. Her 
mother was an old friend of mine ; but she 
has been dead several years, and Lilly has a 
step-mother. I don’t think the child is very 
happy at home, and I want her to enjoy her- 
self while she is here.” 

"Is she a child, auntie?” 

" Why, no ; but she certainly looks like 
one. She is nearly seventeen years old; but 
she appears younger than that.” 

When Lilly Barton came, no one could 
wonder that Mrs. Kandolph had called her a 
child. Petite in figure, with curls of golden 
hair clustering around a sweet, innocent face 
that was lighted with eyes of deepest blue, 
she seemed ever appealing for protection. 

The old ’squire petted her as he would 
have petted a child of half her years, his wife 


364 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


lavished upon her a world of tenderness, 
while Fred was in danger of forgetting law- 
books and office together. For the first few 
days, Lilly went down the walk to meet him 
when she saw him coming, then she waited 
on the piazza, and, at last, he was obliged to 
seek her when he returned home ; but the 
bright blush that suffused her cheek at his 
approach told that he was still welcome. 

It was a new sensation to watch her, as 
she flitted through the old rooms, and it was 
a new happiness to feel that some one 
counted the hours when he was away. But 
why linger over this Visit? Love’s ways 
have been the same since first the world be- 
gan. When Lilly Barton returned home, 
Fred Randolph accompanied her v . 

"We must have you back soon,” said the 
old ’squire to Lilly, at her departure. "Re- 
member that I cannot spare my little daughter 
long,” added Mrs. Randolph. 

There was no reason why the marriage 
should be delayed. Mr. Barton was proud 
to receive as a son-in-law the most promising 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


365 


young lawyer in the county, and his wife 
was glad to be rid of a step-daughter. 
Preparations were hurried, and before mid- 
winter the bridal took place. 

Then the house of Esquire Randolph was 
thrown open for a grand reception. Young 
and old were present, and among them all 
Eugenia Vane moved peerless. Curious 
eyes watched her, but they saw no traces of 
grief or disappointment. She met Fred 
Randolph’s gaze without emotion. Not a 
pulse quickened as she offered her congratu- 
lations. Her love for him, lacking the en- 
during elements of trust and confidence, had 
given place to friendship, and she saw him 
the husband of another with no regrets save 
for the bright being at his side. 

What need had she of sympathy? Her 
heart had given forth its love without doubt 
or question. Surely, one who held another’s 
happiness so entirely in his keeping could not 
but be mindful of his obligation. 

It was this entire, childish confidence 
which had charmed Fred Randolph, and 


366 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


made him almost forget that his first devo- 
tion had been bestowed upon another. That 
evening he noticed the contrast between 
Eugenia and Lilly, as they stood side by 
side ; but if for a moment his thoughts lin- 
gered with the old love, they were quickly 
recalled by the glance of those eyes, which, 
though they might grow dim with tears, 
could never look upon him coldly. 

Wine was furnished to the guests on this 
festive occasion, and there were a few who 
drank to the happiness of the newly-wedded 
pair. 

Settled in life. This was what the old 
’squire had desired for his son, and he looked 
for a great change in his habits. His wife 
was expected to exert a strong influence over 
him ; while she, in her happiness, dreamed 
only of basking in the sunshine of her hus- 
band’s love. 

All too soon was she awakened from this 
dream. But few months had passed before 
harsh words were spoken, and, wondering at 
their cause, she redoubled her efforts to win 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


367 


the speaker back to smiles. As time went 
on, she learned the source of all her trouble ; 
for trouble came to her, and the fair, young 
face grew pale with suffering. The parents, 
who had so gladly welcomed her to their 
homes, saw all this ; but no amount of kind- 
ness on their part could make amends for 
her husband’s want of tenderness. The lily 
drooped. 

Business at the office was faithfully trans- 
acted, and in public Fred Randolph drank 
but moderately ; yet in the privacy of his 
own room, where his wife dared not remon- 
strate, he indulged his appetite for intoxicat- 
ing drinks. Marriage had not saved him. 
The demon of the cup mocks at love and 
domestic happiness, knowing well that his 
influence is the stronger. 

The father trembled as he looked forward ; 
and when Clarence Vane graduated from col- 
lege, strong in the principles of truth and 
temperance, he acknowledged that this 
boy had been trained in a more excellent 
way. Eugenia, too, had acted wisely. He 


368 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


saw this at last, and rejoiced when he knew 
that she was to become the wife of one upon 
whose uprightness rested no shadow of sus- 
picion. 

Selwyn Barnes had been content to bide 
his time until, by that subtle instinct with 
which noble natures are gifted, he knew an- 
other heart beat in unison with his own. 
Then he opened his arms to receive her 
whom he had once rescued from death, while 
he told her of the love he had so long and 
sometimes so hopelessly cherished. 

Theirs was a joyous bridal, and most sin- 
cere were the congratulations they received. 
Each was worthy of the other. Clarence 
could ask no brighter destiny for his sister, 
and the mother was confident of her daugh- 
ter’s happiness. 

Fred Randolph was not present. " Impor- 
tant business” called him to town; but his 
wife wreathed her pale face with smiles to do 
honor to her much-loved friend. 

Clarence Vane chose the profession of law, 
and, when his studies were completed, re- 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


369 


turned to his native village to fill a place 
which had been made vacant by death. 

Lilly Kandolph had died of a broken heart 
in the fourth year of her marriage. Her 
idol was of clay, and, when it lay in fragments 
at her feet, earth had no more to offer. 

A few weeks more, and they, who had 
mourned a daughter, wept with almost in- 
consolable grief at tl^ grave of a son. 

Warning, remonstrance, and entreaty had 
all been unheeded. Dissipation had done its 
work quickly, cutting down one in the very 
strength of his days. 

In this his hour of trial Esquire Eandolph 
turned to Clarence Vane, who entered his 
office, and, so far as possible, fulfilled the 
duties of a son. 

As the village increased in size and popu- 
lation, our Temperance Doctor was still con- 
spicuous for his efforts in the cause he had 
so early espoused, in all of which he was 
earnestly seconded by his associate, Selwyn 
Barnes. The old ’squire, too, added his in- 
fluence. He had learned that there is safety 
24 


370 


THE TEMPERANCE DOCTOR. 


only in total abstinence, and was, during the 
last years of his life, a strong advocate of its 
principles. 

The Eagle House has passed into other 
hands. Mr. Hosford, who was there tempt- 
ed to his ruin, is now a wealthy and respected 
citizen, while the former landlord, poor and 
wretched, has lived to see his sons stagger 
through the streets, miserable drunkards 
all. 

" The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and 
the children’s teeth are set on edge.” 


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BINDERY INC. 

1985 


N MANCHESTER, 
INDIANA 46962 


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